Ronda folks grieve over Ungab’s death

Black and white fabric tied around tree trunks, lampposts and gates welcome the remains of Ronda, Cebu's beloved public official yesterday.

Tarpaulins are also aplenty calling for justice for lawyer and Ronda Vice Mayor Jonnah John Ungab, who was killed in an ambush shortly before noon last Monday outside the Quimonda IT Center at the North Reclamation Area.

He was with his wife when the attack happened, after the lawyer represented selfconfessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa in the promulgation of gun possession case.

Hundreds of residents lined up along the highway, patiently waiting for the arrival of their vice mayor.

A teacher in Ronda, who has worked with Ungab, recalls the public official's jolly spirit in every event that he has attended. She described Jonnah John as soft-spoken and has a dashing presence.

“Shock jud ko, Wala pa kayo ni sink-in nako. It's hard for me to believe nga wala na siya,” Maria Ligaya Sardalya said, while wiping her tears away.

The attack came as a shock not only to the family, but also to the residents of Ronda, who came to pay their last respects for the slain vice mayor.

Jonnah John's casket arrived at the multi-purpose hall of the municipality of Ronda around noon yesterday.

The room was small and the number of vice mayor's supporters spilled outside, waiting for their turn to offer a prayer and flowers.

Jonnah John's wife, Pearl, said that they purposely made a stopover at the multi-purpose hall to accommodate supporters and the Sangguniang Bayan, who staged a small program to formally read the resolution of condolence to the bereaved Ungab family.

During this time, songs, and words of praise for him were offered, some in between sobs.

Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco said during the program that he dreaded the day of losing not just a political partner, but also a companion that made things easier to bear.

“Naguol ko og nasakit sa nahitabo kaniya, I hope unta justice will prevail. Si Janjan (the slain lawyer's nickname) sukad pag-intra sa politika, nauyonan among tandem, mao nagdugay mi nianing politika kay maayo siya mo-serbisyo sa katawhan sa Ronda. Maayo og suod nako si Janjan. Buotan, matinahuron, nga pagumangkon si Janjan. Og wala'y bisag usa, nga iyang gipasakitan og insulto, Janjan is a good public official,” he said.

In an interview, Blanco dispelled doubts that he was behind the ambush and emphasized that Jonnah John was a family to him.

He said he also had a time to raise Jonnah John like his own child.

He added he would never dare to rob Jonnah John's children of a father at such a young tender age.

Blanco said that he fears for his life, but his thrust to continue as a public servant, helps him get through.

“Maghangyo ko, request sa atong local policeman sa atong hepe, nga in every official business nako naa unta ko'y security details, although wa ma'y threat sa ako life,” Blanco said.

Pearl said that the fear and trauma of that bloody day in Quimonda will forever be instilled in her mind. However, she would not let fear swallow her, as she has a family and children to take care of.

“Ako gyud gisaad sa iya, nga paningkamutan gyud ni nako og paeskwela among mga anak, sus, unom ra ba ni,” Pearl said, as her eyes gave in to the sleepless nights these past few days.

Police so far have a ‘hesitant' witness, and an image of a spotter, captured in closed-circuit television camera signaling the gunman.

Senior Inspector Jonathan Taneo, spokesperson for Task Force Ungab, said that they have not received any messages or call from the public to help identify the two persons of interest.

“Still monitoring pa gihapon ta. With regards sa witness kato ra gihapon. Still gathering evidences pa gihapon, na magkaroon ng significant factors, na tinitingnan pa rin natin, is political, professional, and personal circumstances surrounding sa incident,” Taneo said.

He said there are just uncontrolled circumstances that have hampered the pace of the investigation.

“May mga factors din minsan, na makaapekto sa pag-conduct ng investigation. For example ng footage, nakuha nga pero at a certain distance,” Taneo said.

As of last night, the wake of Jonnah John was open for public viewing inside the Our Lady of Sorrow Parish.

The lawyer is scheduled to be laid to rest today at 1 p.m. at the town's private cemetery.

Ronda Police Station Chief Jude Cebrero said the police and force multipliers will be deployed and mobilized in the area, and they are prepared for the worst case scenario.