Roadside killing in Banilad: Former cop ‘shoots’ traffic enforcer dead

CEBU, Philippines - A traffic enforcer was shot and killed while manning the traffic in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City yesterday morning.

Armando Abdon Daligdig, 47, was killed after sustaining three gunshot wounds to different parts of his body.

About five hours later, police arrested Geoffrey Borinaga, a former police officer who was identified by at least two witnesses as the one who gunned down Daligdig.

Based on the investigation by the Cebu City Police Office Homicide Section, Daligdig was manning the traffic along Governor Cuenco Avenue past 7 a.m. when a motorist, later identified as Borinaga, called him from the roadside.

Witness Ronald Tambo-boy, in an interview over Balitang Bisdak, said he saw the suspect pull a gun and shoot the approaching Daligdig three times.

“Mga usa ka dangaw ra ang gilay-on nya gipusil siya katulo,” Tamboboy said.

Daligdig was hit in his left chest, right side of his body, and left shoulder.

Concerned citizens rushed Daligdig to the nearby Gullas Hospital while the suspect sped off. Unfortunately, the traffic enforcer died a few minutes later at the hospital.

Police conducted a manhunt operation and traced Borinaga to his apartment in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el, Jr., the CCPO director, said that someone called him up and said that he met Borinaga right after Daligdig was shot.

“The same person told me that nakasulti ni si Daligdig ngadto niya nga nakaaway niya si Borinaga last Wednesday,” Natu-el told The FREEMAN, withholding the caller’s identity for security reasons.

Natu-el dismissed his initial theory that somebody hired Borinaga to kill Daligdig.

“Siya g’yud ang suspek kay nagkalalis sila ni Daligdig over traffic violation,” Natu-el said.

After getting the information from the caller, Natu-el said he gathered his men and proceeded to Borinaga’s residence.

The CCPO director was backed up by operatives from the Homicide Section, Talamban Police Station, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and the Motorcycle Response Unit.

He managed to get Borinaga’s residence number and decided to talk to him first.

“Ato siyang giingnan nga si Colonel Natu-el ni. Kaila pa ka nako? Gawas sa diha sa imong balay kay dia ko gawas. Magstorya ta,” Natu-el narrated.

When went outside, Natu-el told him of his constitutional rights and his offense, before arresting him. The suspect did not resist.

Police recovered from the suspect’s residence a .45 caliber pistol with seven live bullets.

Also recovered were a camouflage shirt, brown cargo pants, white shoes and bull cap, which matched the things the gunman wore based on the account of the witnesses.

A DT Enduro motorcycle parked outside the suspect’s apartment was also seized.

At the CCPO, two eyewitnesses, through a one-way mirror, identified Borinaga as the one who shot the traffic enforcer to death.