‘Gabuya had no threats, enemies’

The family and friends of Senior Insp. Porferio Gabuya Jr. were obviously saddened by the police official’s death last Dec. 19, but more so because it was unexpected. There were no threats to the life of Gabuya.

Gabuya’s body arrived in Cebu last Friday, Dec. 21. He was shot to death in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental, where he was the deputy chief of the Police office.

Gabuya’s wake is in his house in Talisay City.

“The truth is, for now, we haven’t talked with the family on what to do next,” said Jennifer, Gabuya’s eldest daughter. “We want to set aside our anger for now because we are still in mourning.”

There were three angles being pursued by the police in investigating Gabuya’s gruesome death. One is the former Parian Police Station chief’s involvement in the war against illegal drugs and some personal conflicts. There was also an earlier report that the New People’s Army was behind his death, but a spokesperson for the communist group denied the allegation.

Gabuya’s family said that he had served the public for 30 years as a police officer and they were certain that no person carried a grudge against him.

“Pwera buyag sa akong papa, wala man siyay kontra man kay maayong tao akong papa (My papa didn’t have enemies because he was a good person),” said Jennifer.

Gabuya is survived by seven children and his wife.

Gabuya’s good friend, Nestor Quirobin, agreed with Jennifer that Gabuya was a good man: “He was friendly. He would always invite us (Gabuya’s friends) to his house during special occasions and he was not arrogant at all. He was my idol.”

Gabuya’s body will lie in state at the St. Ignatius Chapel of the Police Regional Office 7 starting Dec. 26.

“He had always wanted everybody to spend Christmas together at home,” said Jennifer.

Gabuya will be buried on Dec. 29.