CEBU, Philippines — And the killings continue.
Another police official on his way home from work in Barangay Poblacion, Cordova town became the latest addition to the long list of people killed by motorcycle-riding assailants yesterday.
Police Chief Master Sergeant Deogenes Carrillo, the deputy police chief of Cordova Police Station, was on his way home to Barangay Punta Engaño, Lapu-Lapu City when he was waylaid and shot by men riding in tandem in front of a school in Cordova.
He was the fourth policeman with alleged drug links to have been killed in the same fashion in Cebu since March.
Carrillo suffered from several gunshot wounds. He died on the spot.
Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered eight empty shells of a caliber .45 around the crime scene.
Police Captain Efren Diaz told The FREEMAN that the victim had three firearms with him: an M16, .32 caliber pistol, and his .45 caliber service firearm. He was not able to fire back, though.
According to Police Lt. Colonel Eloveo Marquez, spokesperson of Cebu Provincial Police Office and the chief of Investigation and Detective Management Branch, they are eyeing at Carrillo’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs and his loan shark business as possible motives.
Reportedly, Carrillo’s application for promotion had been rejected because of reports he was involved in illegal drugs.
Marquez and Diaz said they cannot establish Carrillo’s role in the drug business but added that they have received reports he was in the drug scene prior to his assignment in Cordova.
According to Marquez, Carrillo was first assigned to the Regional Intelligence Division (R2), then to Provincial Intelligence Division before being moved to Naga City Police Station and then to his current post in Cordova.
“Naa ni report that he is involved in illegal drugs mao na ang reason ngano nga wala siya na-promote when he applied for promotion,” Marquez said.
Marquez said it is possible that Carrillo may have also slighted a borrower through his lending business as he personally collects loan payments around Cordova.
Diaz, meanwhile, said they are also eyeing on politics as a possible motive since Carrillo’s wife previously ran in 2013. In the same year, he survived a foiled ambush and even arrested the triggerman.
Diaz said the triggerman may have retaliated.
He said they are now coordinating with residents living near the crime scene to possibly retrieve copies of closed circuit television camera footages.
“Daghan ang nakakita pero takot sila magbigay ng (many witnessed but are afraid to give their) statement,” Diaz said.
Last month, Police Captain Delfin Bontuyan was driving his motorcycle from a court hearing at the North Reclamation Area in Cebu City when he was shot dead by assailants on board two motorcycles.
The shots rang just when the traffic light turned green at the intersection of Pope John Paul II Avenue and A. Soriano Street, a stone’s throw away from the Mabolo Police Station.
Back in March, policeman Mikie Espina was shot several times while resting on the second floor of his poultry dressing plant in Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City. There were reports he was into illegal drugs.
The gunmen allegedly used long firearms to shoot the victim. Espina who sustained gunshot wounds to different parts of his body was rushed to the South General Hospital but did not make it there alive.
In the same month, Senior Police Officer 2 Francis Allen Villamor, a former intelligence officer in Cebu who was reassigned in Mindanao after being linked to illegal drugs, was shot dead moments before stepping out of the courthouse in Danao City. (FREEMAN)