Murder suspect gunned down
Nearly two months after he allegedly shot and killed the son of a government employee, murder suspect Jessie Largo died by gunfire yesterday afternoon in Dumlog, Talisay City. Largo was wanted for the fatal shooting of Ronli Calizar, 22, also in Talisay, last August. There was a P200,000 bounty for his capture, pledged by the Talisay City Government.
A little less than two months after he shot dead John Ronil Calizar, fugitive Jessie Largo falls in the hands of the Mandaue City police
Law enforcement finally caught up with Jessie Largo.
Largo was killed during a shootout with operatives of the Talisay City Police and the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) 7 at 4 p.m. yesterday.
Largo’s death came less than two months after he allegedly shot to death John Ronli Calizar, the son of a government information officer, inside a boarding house in Barangay Lawaan 1.
The shootout occurred in Largo’s home in Sitio Aromahan, Barangay Dumlog in Talisay City.
In the course of the operation, Largo injured PO3 David Naraja, an RSOG operative.
Naraja, who sustained a gunshot wound on his face, is already out of danger, police said.
Police also invited a man allegedly seen with Largo at the time of the incident. But they clarified that the man was only invited for questioning.
Supt. Jason Villamater, Talisay City police chief, said they launched the latest operation against Largo after receiving word from an informant that he was in the area. They received more information, which said that Largo was armed.
When local police and RSOG operatives gathered outside Largo’s front gate, gunfire from inside the house rang out.
This prompted operatives led by Villamater to retaliate.
After a brief firefight, Largo was killed inside a secret room at the back of his house.
Two firearms, a KG-9 and .45 caliber pistol, and a katana or Japanese sword were found near Largo’s body.
Villamater said that Largo’s house appeared to have been designed to facilitate an easy escape from the police.
When police arrived, they found spikes placed on his front gate, concealed by sponges.
A long piece of rusty steel roofing covered the upper portion of Largo’s front door, which meant anyone who wanted to get in prac- tically had to crawl inside.
Just a few meters from Largo’s house, a small wooden boat was docked near the river, apparently to be used to escape to the sea.
In a statement, Ferliza Contratista, Calizar’s mother, expressed her family’s sadness at what had happened to Largo.
Contratista had hoped that Largo would surrender to the authorities and provide information that would lead to the arrest of others involved in his illegal work.
“We can’t help but wonder if Jessie’s death can bring back our son; or this buries with him the key that unlocks the grip of organized crime reaching deep in the echelons of government. One thing is certain here, though: His death is one too many for this world. Those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword,” Contratista said.
Police Regional Office ( PRO) 7 Director Chief Supt. Jose Espino said that the pursuit of Largo attested to the police operatives’ efforts and hard work to catch Calizar’s killer.
“Hopefully, the family saw that the police is really solving the case. There was an allegation that we were not able to arrest Largo because of the insinuation that he had allies. This operation shows that he had none,” Espino said.
With Largo’s death, Espino said that they will look into unsolved crimes in which Largo may have been involved .
Espino also oversaw the admission of PO3 David Naraja Jr., an operative from the Regional Intelligence Division (RID) in a private hospital in Cebu City.
The regional director lamented the private hospital’s treatment of the wounded Naraja. “Ang problem ay hindi ma-admit kung walang P10,000. Hindi nga aayusin yung other services pag di magbayad (The problem was they wouldn’t admit him unless he came up with P10,000 first),” he said.
Naraja suffered a gunshot wound on the face after Largo shot him.
Espino said that Naraja will receive a medal for wounded personnel. He was stable and recuperating as of last night. /