CEBU, Philippines — "Catch the suspects alive."
This is the marching orders of Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Manuel Abrugena to the teams pursuing suspects Jerome Labitad and Felix Abacajan Jr. in the ambush-slay of San Fernando Municipal Councilor Ricardo "Nonoy" Reluya Jr., last January 22.
Abrugena said they needed the two to identify the mastermind in the ambush.
He said they were definite that both Labitad and Abacajan did not commit the crime on their own accord.
"Wala pa tayong mastermind, it remains na blanko tayo. That's why kailangan sila madakip na buhay para malaman natin kung sino man ang nagpapatay, at kung may middleman ba, para din malaman natin kung ano ang motibo," Abrugena said.
The police have earlier invited San Fernando mayoralty bet Ruben Feliciano and his campaign manager Neil Enriquez to shed light on the allegations of town Mayor Lakambini Reluya.
Lakambini and two others survived the attack. While her husband Ricardo, Allan Bayot and Ricky Monterona died when at least five men on board a Toyota Innova peppered their Toyota Grandia with gunshots.
Last Wednesday, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas and Abrugena announced that the two suspects were identified by Giovanni Perez, the mayor's staff who survived the attack.
Perez' testimony given to investigators indicated Labitad and Abacajan speaking to each other.
The two suspects share the same rogue history.
Labitad reportedly is linked with high-profile drug groups of Steve Go and Franz Sabalones, before he allegedly established his own criminal group involved in illegal-drugs and gun-for-hire activities.
He is also the number one most wanted person in Talisay City.
Abacajan, a barangay councilor in Maghaway, Talisay City, purportedly is also a member of the Sabalones drug group. Labitad is his nephew.
Abrugena said that they are expediting the results of the ballistic examination if it will cross match with the fired cartridges in the crime scene and with the firearm recovered in Campo 4, Talisay City last January 29.
Both suspects engaged cops from the Provincial Investigation Branch in a firefight when policemen went to serve multiple warrants against them.
Police will file cases against Labitad and Abacajan for multiple murder, and frustrated murder after the ballistic examination as additional proof.
In a related development, operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 arrested Jomar Labitad, cousin of Jerome, in Camp 4 in Talisay City.
He was arrested by virtue of a warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the act providing the comprehensive law on firearms and ammunition and providing penalties issued by Judge Glenda Joanar of Regional Trial Court in Talisay City.
According to Abrugena, Jomar also served as a gunman for the Sabalones drug group. His profile will be included in the rouges gallery for further checking.
Abrugena said they will check if he had a hand in the killing of Reluya, since it is not impossible that he is involved in some illegal activities of his cousin.
"Makikipag-coordinate kami sa CIDG and we will be interviewing him, and titingnan kung may makikita tayong lead. Ipapakita natin ang picture niya sa ating witness baka mamukhaan niya ito. Sa ngayon, he is not considered as a person of interest, we need to investigate and check indicators, kung pasok siya maging person of interest," Abrugena said.
In a separate interview, Jomar has denied any link with Jerome.
"Wala ko kahibalo, wala ko kaila niya," Jomar said.
On the other hand, Abrugena said they are ready to face any consequences that Philippine National Police Director Oscar Albayalde will impose.
Sinas last Monday said the case is only considered as "partially solved" since they have not arrested the two suspects and have not identified the mastermind.
Sinas flew to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame to discuss the progress of the case last February 6, the deadline of the two-week ultimatum given by Albayalde.
As of this writing, no word yet on the result of Sinas' and Albayalde's meeting.
Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is satisfied with the progress of the police investigation into the Reluya ambush-slay case.
“Yes, it is (more satisfactory) if we compare it to the case of Ronda Mayor Blanco and Vice Mayor Ungab and the previous killings. Those were not resolved. It is better now there are suspects. The Blanco case even does not have suspects. There was unverified information only,” he said.
He said the suspects should be tracked down to eventually identify the people behind the bloody ambush.
“The police have to pursue these suspects. They have to arrest them and hopefully we will find out who is behind the ambush in order to resolve the case,” he said.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-7, for its part, would leave it to the police the resolution of the case.
CHR-7 Director Atty. Arvin Odron said their own investigation team is still gathering all probable evidences and proof and looking for additional witnesses who can provide important accounts.
“Later on, our lawyers (legal division) will evaluate whether there is substantial evidence that will prove that the killing was a violation to the victim’s right to life,” he said.
CHR clarified its separate inquiry differs from the criminal investigation of the police or other law enforcement units like the National Bureau of Investigation.
Odron said the task of CHR is to monitor whether the rights of persons either victims or suspects are respected and guaranteed by the state. — GAN, (FREEMAN)