NPA denies killing police official in Guihulngan City

The New People’s Army (NPA) denied they masterminded the murder of Senior Insp. Porferio Gabuya Jr. in Barangay Poblacion, Guihulngan City on Wednesday morning, Dec. 19.

Ka Juanito Magbanua, the spokesman of the NPA regional command, said in an interview with TV Patrol Central Visayas on Thursday, Dec. 20, that there was no reason for them to kill Gabuya, 53.

“Wala na ya sang nahimo nga krimen diri sa Negros sa amon lang nahibaluan (He did not commit a crime here in Negros as far as we know),” he said.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Debold Sinas earlier tagged NPA hitmen as the killers of Gabuya.

The victim was having a coffee break inside an eatery in Barangay Poblacion, Guihulngan City across the police station when the two motorcycle-riding assailants shot him multiple times past 10 a.m.

Gabuya’s murder shocked his comrades, friends and former neighbors in Barangay Tejero, Cebu City.

Deputy Cebu Provincial Police Director Melbert Glade Esguerra and Guadalupe Police Station Chief Dexter Basirgo remember the slain deputy chief of Guihulngan Police as an officer with a good work ethic.

“Wala ko makadungog nga naa na siyay na kontra kay hilumon kaayo na (I have not heard he had enemies because he was not a talker),” Basirgo said.

Esguerra said Gabuya was not a problem while the latter was serving as his deputy chief in the Cebu City Mobile Force Company.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Royina Garma said she is not happy with the incident that involved the NPA.

“Alam mo, brother namin yan. Sad pa rin kami, naisahan kami (You know, he is our brother. We are sad because they outsmarted us),” she said.

Last Oct. 24, PRO 7 ordered Gabuya’s transfer to Guihulngan City as the police force in the city lacked officials and personnel.

A police official, who requested anonymity, said Gabuya was seeking a new assignment after the latter served as the officer-in-charge of Parian Police Station following the relief of 43 personnel early this year. The relief came after a Parian police officer was arrested for extorting money from a drug suspect.

Gabuya’s former neighbors in Villagonzalo II, Tejero described him as kind and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Others said Gabuya often visited their place even if he had transferred to Talisay City. He joined his friends in karaoke sessions and idled his time away sitting on the benches outside sari-sari stores.

Jolly Gabahug, 66, said the police officer was a well-respected man in their neighborhood.

For Lily Amorin, Gabuya was a person who always listened to their problems.

“Naguol ug naluoy gyud ko sa nahitabo niya kay wala gyud to siyay bad record (I’m saddened and I pity him for what happened since he didn’t have a bad record),” she said.

Ethel Araneta said Gabuya was close to his children and teenagers in Tejero.

“Tungod sa kabuotan ni Sir halos tanang bata diri sa amoa kinugos niya; ang uban mga ulitaw na ug dalaga na (Since Sir was a good person, he was godfather to many kids here, some are grownups already),” she said.

Alberto (not his real name) said he forgot to place his bet on Suertres after hearing the news of Gabuya’s death.

“Pagkahibaw namo diri, adunay daghang nanghilak ug naguol tungod sa kalit nga panghitabo (When we learned about it, many cried and were sad because we didn’t expect it),” he said.