Lapu police invite 3 persons over traffic head’s shooting

THREE persons were invited by officials of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) for questioning today regarding the shooting of the City Traffic Management System (CTMS) head.

Police Senior Insp. Alcon Escusora, head of the LCPO Homicide Section, said they cannot be called suspects because they were just invited to answer some questions.

CTMS head Frank Brazil, 67, was shot twice by an unidentified gunman last Saturday night while he was supervising his staff in preparing for the Ironman 70.3 triathlon last Sunday. Brazil is still confined in the hospital for two gunshot wounds in his back.

LCPO are looking at two angles. Escosura said one involved former CTMS employees who were dismissed from their jobs, while the other involved a clearing operation against colorum or illegal tricycles in Barangay Basak.

He said the clearing of colorum tricycles in Basak last week was the operation of the Land Transportation Office, and CTMS personnel was just there to assist.

Questioning

The three persons who were invited were scheduled for questioning at the Homicide Section at 10 a.m. today.

In a separate interview, Senior Supt. Rommel Cabagnot, LCPO director, said they are looking at a suspect, but preferred not to divulge his identity.

Cabagnot said they learned that Brazil had several threats.

In Mandaue City, Lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, chief-of-staff of the city mayor, said the City does not see the need to equip the Traffic Enforcerment Agency of Mandaue (Team) personnel with firearm because she be- lieved the traffic enforcers are still capable of handling traffic violators.

Mandaue has been strictly implementing the traffic rules within the city since Mandaue Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing assumed office.

To prevent road rage, Team personnel will undergo training not only on basic education on traffic laws, but also on how to properly apprehend traffic violators as part of their security.