Drugs a major angle in Bas killing – cops

Despite the claim of the family of slain Lagtang, Talisay City councilman Art Stephen Bas that the motive behind his killing was politics, Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, director of Police Regional Office-7, said that they will still dig deeper into the possibility that it was drug-related.

Sinas said that although they are not discounting all possible angles, it is public knowledge that Stephen’s father, Marc Ferdinand “Dindin” Bas, a former barangay captain of Lagtang, was among the three alleged narco-politicians from Cebu named by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“We are checking all angles. Of course, we are checking sa iyang papa... Not limited to drug situations but most likely mao nay gitan-aw sa investigators karon,” Sinas said in an interview yesterday.

In a previous interview, Talisay City Police Station chief, Superintendent Marlu Conag, revealed that the mother of Stephen had claimed politics as a motive in the killing of her son.

Stephen, 25, was on his first term as barangay councilman of Lagtang, Talisay. A graduating college student, he was on his way to school in Cebu City on board a white Ford Everest when three unidentified men on board in two motorcycles sandwiched his vehicle and peppered it with bullets.

The police also clarified that Stephen was not a victim of mistaken identity as claimed by the family.

Conag already said that the victim was not on their list of illegal drug personalities.

As to the progress of the investigation, Conag said they are encouraging witnesses to come forward to help them identify Stephen’s assailants.

“Ang appeal natin ngayon sa public is sana may magstep forward na first-hand witness para makatulong sa kaso,” Conag told The FREEMAN in a phone interview.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office- 7 has deployed two teams of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) at Talisay City Jail as requested by Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-7.

The deployment of augmentation force comes after three inmates onboard a BJMP vehicle on the way to their hearing were killed in an ambush 300 meters away from the facility in Barangay Maghaway.

At least 10 men on board motorcycles were responsible for the ambush.

Inmates Yayam Gaviola, 40; Marwin Abelgas, 27; and Rabadon Jovencio, 36, were declared dead on arrival at the hospital, while the two BJMP escorts who wore life vests were left unharmed.

“Just to impose kung adunay further threats. We are checking of rivalry sa drugs situation didto, basin og gitarget ni didto,” said Sinas.

Gaviola and Abelgas were both jailed for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while Rabadon was charged for frustrated murder.

Allegedly, the three inmates were high-value targets, according to Sinas.

“To prevent such things to happen kay kahibalo ka kapag naghigpit didto ang taga district jail as I understand mag-strafing na pud to didto,” Sinas explained the deployment of SWAT personnel.

Talisay City District Jail was strafed at least three times last year by unidentified men. —

Ermida Q. Moradas/JMD