CCTV RECORDED LARGO’S ACTIONS

SUSPECT NOT A FALL GUY: RSOG CHIEF

Footage from security camera shows Jimmy Largo inside a convenience store in Liloan right before the ambush According to police, five witnesses have positively-identified Largo as the man who was inside the store that night Another alleged gun-forhire in Ermita identified as “Jordan” was with Largo but the former waited outside the store

More witnesses are pointing to Jimmy Largo and another hitman as the ones who ambushed Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta, barangay captain of Ermita, Cebu City on Nov. 23.

Supt. Reynaldo Magdaluyo, chief of the Regional Special Operations Group (Rsog) 7, dismissed the reports that Largo was a “fall guy.”

“The police do not do guesswork. Largo is not a fall guy. He is our principal suspect. And we’re consistent with our earlier pronouncement that Jimmy Largo is indeed one of the perpetrators of the crime,” Magdaluyo said.

Police released footage from a close-circuit television (CCTV) camera, showing Largo inside a convenience store in Liloan on Nov. 23.

At 7:57 p.m., Largo was seen entering the store wearing a blue cap and sunglasses hanging from his black shirt to buy ice cream.

Magdaluyo said it was the same sunglasses that they confiscated from Largo when they arrested him a week ago.

It also confirmed the state- ments of Joceyln Mendoza, Rupinta’s live-in partner who was with him during the ambush, that Largo was wearing a cap, not a helmet.

Another alleged gun-for-hire in Ermita identified as “Jordan” was with Largo but Jordan waited outside the store.

Largo greeted someone inside the story before leaving, seemingly waiting for someone.

2nd suspect’s facial composite

At 8:29 p.m., Rupinta’s Isuzu D-Max was seen on the road, preceded by two motorcycles, whose riders kept glancing behind.

One motorcycle turned right at a corner while Largo and Jordan overtook the D-Max. They opened fire at the vehicle, hitting Rupinta twice in the head.

“We have five witnesses who positively-identified Largo as the one who went inside the store,” Magdaluyo said.

Largo peeked inside the vehicle to make sure Rupinta was dead and shouted to confirm it.

“It means that because Largo was near the crime scene of the ambush, he arrived early there because he was receiving information from the spotters so he pre-positioned himself there ahead of Kap Rupinta,” Magdaluyo said.

On the day of the incident, Largo and Jordan were seen in front of the Ermita Barangay Hall playing bingo at 2 p.m.

They played until 6 p.m. when Rupinta and Mendoza got inside their vehicle, then the two men left in haste, leaving the money they won in the last four hours to the others.

Largo, in his defense, said that

In the performance of his peace and order functions, the Punong Barangay shall be entitled to possess and carry the necessary firearm within his territorial jurisdiction, subject to appropriate rules and regulations. Section 389, The Local Government Code of the Philippines

he was in Aloguinsan to get a barangay clearance for his friend on the day Rupinta was killed.

The Rsog presented the facial composite of Jordan to the media. It continues to look for the others.

In a related development, Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella announced that he is in favor of allowing barangay officials to carry firearms, following the fatal ambush of Rupinta.

Labella said barangay captains are allowed to carry firearms as provided under the Local Government Code.

“But it will still be up to the administration (to issue firearms) and with the concurrence of the City Council,” he said.

However, only those who qualify will be allowed to carry guns, he said.

“I’m in favor of the suggestion because it’s in the law and there are really hazards in public service,” he said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña, for his part, said he has no problem with the idea, saying it is the constitutional right of an elected barangay captain.

During the previous administration, City issued firearms to barangay captains but these were later recalled.

The Department of General Services is still working to renew the permits of the guns.

Asked if he will issue firearms to the barangay captains once the permits are renewed, the mayor said he hasn’t decide yet.

The police do not do guesswork. Largo is not a fall guy. He is our principal suspect. SUPT. REYNALDO MAGDALUYO Rsog 7 Director