"Resbak" theory in cop slay probed

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The "resbak" theory in the shooting to death of PO1 Jay Carpintero in this city the other night is now being looked into by Task Force Carpintero.

The task force was formed after Carpintero, a member of the Quick Response Team, was gunned down in front of his wife and his baby armalite rifle taken away by the gunman.

Superintendent James Goforth, City Police chief, said the task force was also looking into other possibilities, such as work-related angle or his participation in anti-illegal drugs operation in the city.

Goforth said that what was definite was that the crime was well-planned and that the assailant knew the usual route of Carpintero.

The resbak theory came about as the police cited a past incident when the Osamiz robbery group suffered a great loss during a pawnshop hold-up with the arrest of one of its members. Last week, a suspected local contact of the robbery group was also gunned down in this city, and the killing of Carpintero could be a form of reprisal from the criminal gang whose other members may be holed up in Negros Oriental, said Goforth.

A CCTV footage showed that a motorcycle was seen circling the gasoline station at Brgy. Taclobo where Carpintero and his wife Rodelita on their own motorcycle made a stop to gas up at about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.

About 10 meters from the place, one of the assailants blocked the way of the policeman and shot the latter twice, one in the chest and another in the neck. Carpintero tried to flee by driving away but the gunman ran after him, shot him thrice in the back, causing him to fall by the roadside in front of a bakery.

Also wounded was Carpintero's wife Rodelita, a public elementary school teacher in Brgy. Candau-ay, who sustained a gunshot wound in the body. Rodelita pleaded for her husband's life, but the gunman fired more shots at him and grabbed his rifle before fleeing from the scene.

A third victim, identified as Herth Josephus Cabanag, 22, he refused to give up his motorcycle to the gunman prompting the latter to shoot the Cabanag on the chest. The victim was however able to drive himself, inspite of his injury, to the Holy Child Hospital where he is now recuperating.  (FREEMAN)