Are the police behind the killings?

Ireceived text messages from the concerned public suggesting that the authorities match the images in closed circuit television (CCTV) footage taken from previous killings with the physical profile of PO3 Eugene Alcain Calumba, the policeman gunned down by the driver-bodyguard of former Tejero barangay captain and now councilor Jessielou “Jingjing” Cadungog. They specifically mentioned the footage in the ambush of Ronda Vice Mayor Jonah John Ungab, the shooting to death of Kalunasan barangay councilor Ruel Mabano and the killing of Lagtang, Talisay City Councilor Mark Stephen Bas.

They suspect that Calumba is the same person in the footage, as his body build fit the description of some of the witnesses (that he is “chubby”). They could be wrong but if police investigators do match the images in the footage with the photo of Calumba they might unearth something that could lead to the solution of these cases. Even witnesses in the murder of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) assistant operation’s chief Baby “Earl” Rallos have similar description.

Was Calumba a would-be assassin or was he a victim of wrong perception?

If we believe the version of William “Junjun” Macaslang, Cadungog’s driver-bodyguard, the slain policeman was a would-be his assassin. The driver’s presence of mind and quick reaction resulted to the killing. Macaslang must have had good training in handling firearms and is an experienced shooter.

Macaslang is a barangay tanod of Tejero and works for Opascor where Cadungog is an officer. Tejero residents and baragay officials said that Macaslang is not involved in illegal drugs. He is even active in the anti-drug campaign in the neighborhood.

Macaslang claimed that he fired at Calumba because he saw him draw his gun when the motorcycle they were riding in came closer to the vehicle he was driving. Calumba fell from the motorcycle and his driver, Michael Banua, sped away but was cornered by some bystanders.

I was able to interview Banua in my radio program through Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak. He claimed that Calumba, who was assigned in the drug enforcement unit at the Parian police station, ordered him to drive faster and to get closer of the vehicle, a Toyota FJ Cruiser, owned by Cadungog. Then shots rang out. Banua was later taken into custody by the Criminal Inspection and Detection Group (CIDG) 7.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 chief Debold Sinas claimed that Calumba was a victim and not a wouldbe an assassin. The policeman was conducting surveillance in the area, he said. The police are set to file charges against the driver and Cadungog. The police insist that Cadungog was inside the vehicle and could have been the one who fired at the victim. Cadungog said his driver dropped him at the barangay hall.

The “former political has-been” believe that the police have something to do with the killings in the city. That is also my suspicion. Is this a repeat of the situation in the early 2000 when the so-called vigilantes that he inspired instilled “fear” in the city? What can Osmeña do being the chief executive to stop these killings especially since most of these are “state sponsored”? Maintaining peace and order was one of his campaign promises.

Pagtungod nila nako, nakabantay ko sa side mirror nga nagtaptap sila unya nilingi sa driver’s seat unya nibunot, mao to nidepensa lang ko sa akong kaugalingon.