CentCom blocks arrest of soldier linked to killing

An active member of the Philippine Army is now considered a suspect in the killing of an ex-convict in Sitio Plaza Housing, Barangay Lahug, Cebu City but officials at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command have blocked his arrest without a warrant.

The victim, Maverick Capuyan, 26, was shot dead by a certain “Ronil” while playing a coin game locally known as “hantak” last Thursday evening. He was previously arrested for robbery charges.

Homicide police investigator Senior police Officer 1 Winston Ybañez said several witnesses positively identified the AFP member and a certain “Kokong” as companions of the gunman during the incident.

A source has requested for the anonymity of the AFP member, pending the issuance of warrant of arrest against him.

Police said the AFP member allegedly went to the house of the victim and invited the latter to come with him in the “hantakan.”

“Makita sa CCTV nga kaning army kay gipugos og pasakay sa sakyanan ang biktima kauban pa ang usa ka kuyog. Wala man gani to nakasuot og T-shirt (ang victim),” said Ybañez.

When they arrived in the area with Kokong, witnesses allegedly heard from the AFP member, who was talking to someone over the phone: “Dali na, naa na diri.”

Ybañez said the victim wanted to go home, but the AFP member allegedly forced him to stay until Ronil came.

“Pag-abot aning Ronil, taod-taod kay gitiunan ni og pusil ang biktima dayon tukmod sa ubos. Nisunod ni ang duha (AFP member and Kokong) ug didto nahitabo ang pagpamusil,” Ybañez said.

Capuyan suffered two gunshot wounds to the back of his head.

The police recovered three empty shells of caliber 45 from the crime scene. They believed that the motive was drug-related as they received reports about the alleged involvement of the victim and the suspects in illegal drug trade.

“Gi-tumbling sa biktima ang remit, unya nausban pa gyod dihang usa sa ilang kaila nga pusher pud ang nadakpan sa Mandaue gipasinglan nga siyay ni-spill sa mga police. Actually, nakahibawo na daw to ang biktima nga gi-hunting na siya,” said Ybañez.

Operatives immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation against Ronil and the AFP member last Thursday, but the gunman could not be found.

The Central Command based in Cebu City did not also allow the police to arrest their worker because they could not present a warrant of arrest.

“Everything must be on due process. Kung may dadakpin sila, kailangan may warrant of arrest,” said Central Command spokesperson Colonel Medel Aguilar.

But Ybañez said there was no need for a warrant against the AFP member because the supposed arrest was still part of a hot pursuit operation.

“Alas 9 sa buntag adlawʼng Biyernes didto mi sa ilaha kay amo silang gi-explainnan pero wala nila gi-turn over kay wala kuno mi warrant. Wala pay 24 hours pwede pa bisan pa mag-one week basta continued ang hot pursuit. Dili mahimo nga mo-intervene bisan kinsa kay criminal ang kaso ana,” said Ybañez.

Aguilar, however, said the unit in which the AFP member is assigned is already conducting internal investigation regarding the incident.

“Iyung alam ko lang is iyung unit na kinabibilangan niya is umaksiyon na para masiguro kung mayroong imbestigasyon na gagawin ay available iyung tao. He’s under the custody of the unit, just to make sure na kung mayron talagang kaso na isasampa sa kanya. He will make to answer in accordance with due process,” said Aguilar.

He added that the Central Command will not tolerate any wrongdoings of their men.

“Sa amin masyadong mahalaga ang reputasyon ng isang sundalo. Ayaw naming na masabi niyo na we are tolerating the bad actions of our people. Hangga’t maari hindi naman natin ma-perfect iyan but at least we are credible and with that, we’ll also expect the support of the people,” Aguilar said.

Ermida Q. Moradas/JMD