Tom told: Prove PNP link to slays

The Philippine National Police has challenged Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to prove his accusations that the PNP is coddling hitmen responsible for the spate of killings in the city and other parts of Cebu province.

“Kung yan opinion mo, that’s your right. Puwede mong isipin, but to express it, there should be a proof,” said Cebu City Police Office Director, Senior Supt. Royina Garma yesterday. Garma said Osmeña’s recent statements will only sow distrust among the people in the police, something that a local chief executive should not be doing.

“It’s not good for the image of the police, and he is our local chief executive, and I believe na the local chief executive natin is (meant to) support. You have to show evidence because it’s for the safety in general,” Garma added.

In a recent press conference, Osmeña was quoted as saying: “There are people here with police protection who are going around killing people. I’m not a great detective but that’s what it smells like.”

Osmeña made the statements against the police following the supposed assassination attempt against one of his supporters, former Tejero barangay captain Jessielou Cadungog.

The supposed attempt on Cadungog’s life took the spotlight after Cadungog’s bodyguard killed a man he believed was the hitman. It turned out the victim, Eugene Calumba, is a policeman who, according to the Police Regional Office - 7, was coming from a surveillance operation at that time.

Cadungog’s bodyguard, William Macaslang, Jr., had claimed he saw Calumba pull out a gun first as the motorcycle the cop was riding came close to Cadungog’s car that Macaslang was driving at that time.

PROBLEM

In his press conference yesterday, Osmeña said the problem is the present leadership of the city police.

“The problem is in the police now. Not the police per se but the police now. We have no problems ni Doria (former Cebu City Police Office chief Joel Doria). Hapsay gud. Hapsay gyud. Number one sa buy-bust sa Pilipinas with P400M in shabu confiscated. Karon wala. Instead, we have killings,” he told reporters.

He said he is willing to talk to the police since he is giving them tips he get from the public on possible drug dens in barangays but he reportedly does not get feedback from the PNP, unlike during Doria’s time.

Osmeña said he is afraid that his close allies are being targeted and accused of being part of the illegal drug trade, including the late SPO1 Adonis Dumpit who was accused of being a drug protector and, recently, Cadungog, who is allegedly on the drug list of the PNP.

“I’m scared. So what? But I won’t run away. You have to be stupid not to be scared. I hold my ground. I’m responsible for the city. If people can protect me, better. I’m not going to abandon ship,” Osmeña said.

“It’s the regional who is the problem also. I give the police chief a chance. Especially when he declared a war and say we put a manhunt for Cadungog and Dave tumulak. Mosukol gyud ko. I’m the father of the city, I protect the people. I don’t care who you are,” the mayor added.

The mayor also took a swipe at Vice Mayor Edgar Labella who said that Osmeña should stop trading barbs with the police and focus on solving the series of killings here.

“Don’t question me on what I’m doing. I’m only telling the people what to do. When we had Doria, we had no problems. We’re the best drug enforcement unit in the goddamn Philippines,” the mayor said.

STOP KILLINGS

Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale have also expressed alarm over the spate of killings here.

Since February, at least 16 high profile murder cases of motorcycle riding-intandem are still pending in respective police precincts, the number do not include other civilians who were also shot dead, or found dead with evident gunshot wounds.

The Commission on the Laity, the biggest association of lay organizations and faith-based movements in the Cebu archdiocese, also called on authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.

Fe Barino, chairperson of the Cebu Archdiocesan Commission on the Laity, appealed to law enforcers to track the assailants down and to not take for granted the lives that are being claimed.

“Kami, among awhag kay ayaw pasagdahi. Kinahanglan hatagan og hustisya,” she said.

She said the commission wants to organize a prayer brigade, which will be organized by the Cebu Archdiocesan Network of Intercessors, or a group of prayer warriors, which will meet on August 18.