Death of a “Robinhood”: Neighbors miss Jaguar’s generosity

CEBU, Philippines — They say that the end indeed does not justify the means, but to those whose lives the late suspected bigtime drug personality Jeffrey "Jaguar" Diaz had touched, it was his generosity and kindness that truly matter.

To the public, he may be a villain.  But to those who visited Jaguar’s tomb yesterday, he was a hero whose good deeds were cut short during an alleged shootout on June 17, 2016 in Las Piñas City.

A certain "Boy" told The FREEMAN how Jaguar aided his family in their basic needs.

Despite the fact that Jaguar is a known law violator, Boy and some of their neighbors remember Diaz as a good man who never hesitated to help and they could not help but miss those moments.

Boy added that 10 years ago, Jaguar gave his family a shelter to live within the compound wherein the alleged drug lord resides in Barangay Duljo.

"Pulong niya sa kadtong buhi pa siya nga walay makapahawa namo kay siya man ang naghatag og balay sa amo," he said.

Eventually, Boy became the maintenance worker of Jaguar’s house.

"Gikuha ko niya nga tig-atiman sa iyahang iro ug tanom," he said.

Boy further said he was not the only one who witnessed and experienced how thoughtful Jaguar was.

"Sa kadtong pag-Yolanda nga bagyo,  naabot siya og Ormoc,  Tacloban,  Bantayan ug Bohol para manghatag og bugas ug financial sa mga biktima," he said.

Esperanza Sharot, a resident of Barangay Duljo-Fatima, also spares some moment to light candles for Jaguar.

Sharot admitted she was among those who receive kilos of rice every Christmas from Jaguar.

When asked about unconfirmed reports that Diaz is still alive, Boy said there is no truth to it.

"Sus patay na uy,  unsa may hagu-haguan nato og ari kung buhi pa.  Tabla ra nga gililong nato atong kaugalingon," he said.

Boy never gets tired of visiting Jaguar’s tomb if he has time.

Yesterday, Boy, together with his three children, offered candles to Diaz as a sign of respect and sympathy.

As of press time, The FREEMAN did not notice any relative of Jaguar who visited his tomb, which was padlocked.   (FREEMAN)