On PDEA agent’s death , suspect still unknown but wife thankful for fast investigation

CEBU, Philippines - More than two months after the shooting of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 agent Jessie Tabanao, there is still no clear identity yet as to who is responsible for his death.

But Tabanao’s wife, Katrina, who yesterday checked with police on the updates of the case, said she trusts the police and that she is satisfied with the ongoing investigation.

“They are doing their best na ma-pinpoint ang mastermind. They assure me that they are doing everything on the case and that is enough for me,” she said.

Katrina, 31, went to the Cebu City Police Office yesterday and spoke with City Intelligence Branch (CIB) chief Romeo Santander about the death of her husband who was shot to death last September 14.

While there is still no identified suspect, Katrina said she does not sense a slow-moving investigation on her husband’s case.

“No. Dili siya hinay na imbestigayson para nako. Natagbaw ra ‘mi (family). Dako mi og pagsalig nila; nakita namo that they left no stone unturned,” Tabanao’s wife expressed.

Santander said he is thankful for Katrina’s trust.

“We’re thankful na she’s giving her effort and trust. Ni-ari siya to verify and share information na iya sad nadawat, so give and take ang process,” said Santander.

As to the development of the case, the CIB chief said that names of possible masterminds have cropped up and they are currently digging deeper into it.

“Dili lang ta mag-dali-dali kay ma-mistaken identity pa unya. Slowly but surely ang atong investigation,” he said, adding that this was also the directive of Police Regional Office 7 director Danilo Constantino.

Katrina, a former journalist, has been described to be a strong woman. She said she chooses to be strong for their two sons, the youngest of whom she just gave birth to on the road last October 15, following a strong earthquake that rocked Cebu and Bohol.

Tabanao, who was a spokesperson of PDEA-7, was gunned down in Escario St., Barangay Kamputhaw. Police are eyeing illegal drugs and Tabanao’s job as motives behind the incident.— (FREEMAN)