Imok’s live-in partner denies plotting ambush

The common-law wife of slain Ermita Barangay captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta yesterday surfaced to deny allegations that she is the real “mastermind” in the killing.

In a press conference yesterday, Jocelyn Mendoza denied all allegations of former Cebu City MarketAdministrator Winefredo Miro who filed his counter-affidavit last Monday.

“Nigawas nako tungod sa alegasyon. Moingon gyod ko nga si Miro ang hari sa tanang bakakon. Sa tanan niyang gisulti, walay bisag usa nga tinuod,” Mendoza told reporters.

In his counter-affidavit, Miro said there is a possibility that Mendoza allegedly orchestrated the assassination of Rupinta.

Miro said Mendoza, who was left untouched when Rupinta was ambushed, will allegedly take control of the fortune of the slain barangay captain. Mendoza, however, said he could not dare to order the killing of Rupinta. She said Rupinta has not left any fortune to her but only unpaid debts.

“Buang diay ko nga mosakay sa sakyanan nga ambosan ug tusaktosakon sa mga bala? Giswerte lang gyod ko nga wala ko maigo ug dili mosugot ang Ginoo nga apilon ko og patay aron mahatagan og hustisya ang kamatayon ni Kap Imok,” she said.

She said she is willing to be investigated by the authorities.

Mendoza said Miro's claim that the latter was a “friend” of Rupinta is also untrue.

She even said children in Ermita know that Miro has been an “antagonist” of Rupinta in the barangay.

Mendoza said Miro is greed for power that is why she is convinced that the latter was the real “mastermind” in the killing of Rupinta.

On November 23, 2017, Rupinta was ambushed when he was on his way home to Liloan town of Cebu with Mendoza who was unharmed during the incident.

Two alleged hit men identified as Jessie Largo and Jordan Gera has been determined by the police as two of the four motorcycleriding suspects who tailed on Rupinta's pick-up before the ambush. They were already charged before the court and pleaded not guilty to the offense charged.

On December 28, 2017 Regional Special Operation Group-7 filed complaints for murder and attempted murder against Miro for allegedly plotting the killing of Rupinta and Mendoza.

“Unsa may tumong nako nga akong ipapatay? Siya'y amahan sa among mga anak. Siya (Miro) unsay tumong niya ipapatay si Imok Rupinta? Tungod sa iyang kahakog ug kahangol sa posisyon ug gusto niyang solohon ang Carbon,” Mendoza said.

“Kahibaw ko nga iya sab kong ipapatay aron ang kaso ma-quits,” she said.

Mendoza said she will refer her legal actions about the allegations of Miro to her lawyers.

In between tears, Mendoza said her life with her two children was never “normal” after Rupinta's death.

She recalled that Rupinta already planned, before his death, to stop his political career this year.

Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) assured family of the slain former Ermita Barangay captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta, that police will resolve the case based on evidence and not on speculations.

“It depends on the evidence. As of now, wala namang evidence except duon sa pronouncement,” said Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, director of PRO-7.

Quenery pointed out that the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) created to determine the assailants and masterminds are considering all possibilities anchored on evidence.