Tumulak faces raps
Criminal complaints for physical injuries, grave threats, and grave coercion were filed yesterday by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-7 against Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak and three unidentified cohorts who allegedly mauled a police asset tagged as one of the supposed gunmen in the foiled ambush of Tejero Barangay Councilman Jessielou Cadungog and his driver.
The complaints were filed before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office by CIDG-7 consultant lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna.
Dela Cerna claimed they have an 11-year-old eyewitness who allegedly saw Tumulak punching and pointing a gun at Michael Banua.
"We have an eyewitness to prove that gikulata si Banua," he said based on the affidavit executed by an 11year old boy.
Banua was the driver of slain Police Officer 3 Eugene Calumba when they allegedly attempted to ambush Cadungog on July 30. Calumba was shot dead by William Macaslang, driver of Cadungog. According to Dela Cerna, the minor witnessed the incident.
Calumba and Banua were allegedly on their way back to Parian Police Station after conducting surveillance operation in Barangay Tejero when they were shot upon reaching the vicinity of T. Padilla Extension.
Separate complaints for murder and frustrated murder were also filed by CIDG-7 against Cadungog and Macaslang.
Senior Police Officer 4 Reynaldo Romero, case investigator, said that their investigation shows that Calumba tried to seek help at the gasoline station after he got shot. His companion, Banua, followed him. A black pickup arrived and two men wearing tanod uniform alighted from the car and pointed their guns at Banua and told him not to move.
Banua allegedly begged them to help Calumba, who was already wounded, to bring him to the nearest hospital. But the two men allegedly refused to help.
"Dili mi motabang ana, kamo moy hitman diri," the two men reportedly told Banua.
It was then that Calumba collapsed and fell on the ground. Few minutes later, Tumulak arrived onboard a motorcycle with sidecar.
Banua again begged Tumulak to bring Calumba to the hospital but the councilor instead slapped him on the neck, punched his stomach, pointed a gun on his face and ordered one of the tanods to arrest him. The tanods also punched Banua, based on Romero's investigation.
While inside the vehicle, Tumulak reportedly continued hitting Banua while asking him who ordered them to kill the councilman. Tumulak also took Banua's wallet containing several identification cards and P200 cash.
Tumulak's lawyer, Amando Virgil Ligutan, said they have yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
"We've yet to receive a copy of the complaint, but for sure it's a headscratcher. Councilor Dave Tumulak, who is the deputy mayor for police matters, only responded to an emergency call that is why he was at the area," Ligutan said.
Ligutan said it was Tumulak who brought Banua to the hospital contrary to the findings of CIDG-7.
"Note that he was the one who brought Michael Banua to the hospital for medical help. Isn't it weird to accuse Deputy Mayor Tumulak of inflicting injuries to Banua when in fact he brought the person to the hospital? It's preposterous," Ligutan added.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña defended his deputy from what he described as harassment suit.
He said Tumulak was just doing his job and that he has his full support.
"Tumulak is simply defending our city," Osmeña said.
The mayor also claimed that his nephew, Councilor Renato Osmeña Jr., allegedly asked Tumulak to talk to Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Michael Dino so everything will be okay.
Osmeña has called on the Cebuanos to express their indignation and asked that the regional director should be replaced by former city director Sr. Supt. Joel Doria, whom he said has the trust of the people.