Ex-convicts monitored amid splurge of killings

In the wake of the spate of killings in Metro Cebu, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak has submitted to the police – for monitoring purposes – a list of about 80 former convicts who have served jail time and are now free.

More than five shooting incidents involving motorriding assailants have been recorded over the last seven days.

The killings continued yesterday.

A 39-year-old man who allegedly just arrived from the casino was shot dead in front of his residence in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City yesterday dawn.

The victim was identified as Chrisjan Laput Belangel, who suffered several gunshot wounds to the different parts of his body.

Senior Police Officer 1 Winston Ybañez, case investigator, said that Belangel was about to park his motorcycle in front of their residence when the suspect, only identified as a certain “Moymoy,” arrived on board a motorcycle and shot the victim several times.

Ybañez said the victim was still able to run about 15 meters away, but the suspect chased and fired one more shot at him.

Police are eyeing personal grudge as possible motive of the incident. Ybañez said there is a big possibility that the victim knew the suspect.

“Mura ni siyag gisundan gikan sa casino. Kursunada gyod ang pagpatay kay wala ni nagtabon sa nawong,” said Ybañez.

The suspect immediately fled the crime scene, leaving six empty shells of caliber .45, two slugs and one live ammunition. Cash amounting to P53, 000 was also recovered from the victim.

Belangel's killing adds to the stack of shootings in Metro Cebu that includes the ambush-slay of Ronda Vice Mayor and lawyer Jonnah John Ungab outside the Cebu City Hall of Justice on S. Osmeña Boulevard shortly before noon on February 19.

Senior Inspector Jonathan Taneo, chief of Homicide Section, says all possibilities are being checked to help solve pending cases.

“Possibility lang sa pagkakaron. Amo pa gicheck ang mga data sa mga bag-ong laya. Iya (Tumulak) gihatag sa amoa, kay murag ubay-ubay pa sad to ang listahan. As of now, background check sa ta,” said Taneo.

Taneo said if a connection would be established during the background investigation, then they would proceed to close monitoring for the gathering of evidence for the cases.

“Then if naa ta'y matanaw nga naa'y connection sa usa sa atong cases of killings gi-handle, then diha ta momonitor closely nila for case buildup,” Taneo said.

Tumulak said though that there is nothing to worry about Metro Cebu's security since most of the killings have been determined as personally-motivated.

“Kita kung mag suroysuroy ta sa Sugbo, di ta angay nga mabalaka. Gawas lang adtong mga tao nga adunay mga sala,” Tumulak said.

Based on the latest data from the Investigation and Detective Management Branch (IDMB), index crimes in Cebu City from January until present have reached 305.

Index crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, theft and robbery, carnapping and cattlerustling.

Tumulak urged those who may be harboring grudges against anyone to not resort to violence.

“So mohangyo ta sa atong katawhan nga kun duna man gani moy kalagot mas maayo siguro nga istoryahon ug dili nato ipaagi og pamusil kay lisud kaayo kinabuhi ang ilang kutloon. Luoy kaayo ang mga nahabiling pamilya ana,” Tumulak said.