Probe on killing of suspect ordered call for justice aired at Mayor Tirol burial

BUENAVISTA, BOHOL, Philippines —  Cry for justice reverberated among the mourning multitude that attended on Wednesday the funeral and interment of the murdered Buenavista (Bohol) Mayor Ronald Lowell "Sample" Tirol, as the Police Regional Office-7 yesterday directed a deeper investigation into the killing of one of the suspects.

The 38-year-old mayor, a bachelor, was shot dead inside the cockpit arena in his town on May 27, and investigation into the case is still going on to this day.

Tirol was interred in a town cemetery in the presence of hundreds of people, including some mayors from other towns, following a requiem mass at the Catholic Church here.

While his family, relatives and the municipal officials demanded for justice to Tirol, one of the suspects, identified as 22-year-old Emigdio Aparece, was killed a day before the burial by police operatives at Barangay Concepcion in the adjacent town of Danao.

Aparece was spotted by a police informant inside a farmer's shanty in that barangay Wednesday dawn. Allegedly pulled out his firearm after sensing approaching cops to his hiding place, allegedly resulting in the shootout.

The PRO-7 command yesterday directed the PNP Crime Laboratory to step-in and double-check the investigation into the shootout, allegedly between Aparece and the police that resulted in the death of the suspect.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, PRO-7 director, said that as preventive measure the Crime Lab will serve as third party investigator to avoid doubts of partiality as well, on the side of the Bohol Provincial Police Office , Provincial Mobile Force Company that led the operation to arrest Aparece.

PRO-7 said this would clear doubts that the operation was an "overkill," as shown in the photos that the Aparece's body had multiple gunshot wounds and one of his eyes was even gouged out.

Sinas said Crime Lab is equipped and capable of double checking gun position and residue, in order to shed light on the shoot-out that transpired. He added that if the Commission on Human Rights see it fitting to probe further despite his directives, PRO-7 will welcome it.

Sinas further said PRO-7 is still in the process of discussion whether they should level-up the other identified suspect Elmer Melencion's criminal status to being the most wanted person in Central Visayas, which would mean that the entire law enforcement agencies in the region is tasked to conduct a manhunt for the suspect.

He also warned the remaining suspects that policemen are now tracking them and it will be a matter of time before they are arrested.

The police have so far been eyeing politics, business-related matters, and personal grudge as among the motives in the killing of the mayor, however, investigation is leaning towards politics and business.

Both the national and provincial leadership of League of Municipalities of the Philippines earlier voiced indignation and condemnation over Tirol's killing, according to LMP-Bohol chapter president Mayor Allen Piezas of Clarin town.

The Bohol Provincial Board recently approved a resolution, authored by PB Member Tomas Abapo Jr. denouncing the murder of the mayor, expressing condolence and sympathy to the Tirol family, and seeking for the creation of a task force to conduct a speedy investigation into the assassination.

PB's ex-officio Member Gloria Gementiza, representing the Philippine Councilor's League-Bohol chapter, lamented in her privilege speech that the killing could have been prevented had there been police around to secure the cockpit at the time.

She admitted however that policemen are not allowed to enter cockpits, but said, "yet their presence within the prescribed distance outside the cockpit arena, could help in maintaining peace and order in the area where cockfighting is going on."

Gementiza also urged for police visibility during Sunday Masses and in school zones since regular school classes began.

Governor Edgar Chatto, for his part, confirmed to the media, during his weekly presscon, that the Provincial Peace and Order Council will offer a cash reward to any who may be able to provide information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Tirol's killers.

The Bohol Police Provincial Office reportedly has set the amount of the reward at P200,000.