Sun.Star Cebu

PERSONS OF INTEREST IN UNGAB SLAY ‘FOUND’

- JOHANNA O. BAJENTING & GEROME M. DALIPE / Reporters @JOBajentin­g, @GeromeMDal­ipe

Footage from security cameras inside and outside Qimonda building show 2 men “communicat­ing” moments before attack Police are hoping to come up with a cartograph­ic sketch of the gunman from a passerby who will serve as witness Some lawyers now going to court armed, while some believe their knowledge of the law and jurisprude­nce should suffice

Task Force Ungab is digging into the background of two persons of interest, the suspected informant and gunman, behind the ambush-slay of Atty. Jonnah John Ungab.

Senior Insp. Jonathan Taneo, task force spokespers­on, said that they acquired a clear photo of the person believed to be the informant who pointed the gunman to Ungab last Monday.

“He was caught by the close-circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside Qimonda. When the victim was on board his car picking up his wife at the entrance of the building, he stared at the plate number from behind suspectedl­y to identify the model and the plate number,” Taneo said.

All the while the man was on the phone talking to someone, he said.

“The spotter then walked casually in front of the victim’s car to check if it was really him on the driver’s seat,” Taneo said.

Another CCTV camera caught

These words uttered by a police officer do not deserve a place in civilized society. You cannot continue besmirchin­g a man’s name and reputation further to the abyss, especially when that man has no more place to defend himself into. Espenido’s words pierce like salt to the already injured. It connotes no honor, no remorse and no respect for human dignity and the rule of law. IBP Cebu City chapter’s statement in reaction to Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido’s allegation­s against slain lawyer Ungab

the possible gunman talking to someone on the phone a few meters from the gates of the building, where the Cebu City Hall of Justice is currently housed.

“Their presence and the time they were in their locations coincided in both the footage,” Taneo said.

Investigat­ors acquired four footages from CCTV cameras inside and outside Qimonda.

Taneo said that they will show these to the victim’s family members to see if they can recognize the men.

“Our investigat­ors will trace his name through the logbook in the building because he was present inside and outside, based on the CCTV,” he said.

Police are also getting the account of a passerby who will serve as the witness.

“Hopefully, our witness can remember more of the facial details of the gunman so that we can come up with a cartograph­ic sketch,” Taneo said.

Since Ungab’s ambush, some lawyers have armed themselves.

For Atty. Fillmore Gomos, he said that not only will he carry a gun, but he will also arm himself with prayers.

Atty. Ian Sapayan said he is “definitely thinking” about carrying a gun but blamed the government for “making it very difficult for us to get permits.”

Atty. Edgar Gica, for his part, does not believe in bringing a gun to work.

“We are armed from head to foot with our humble knowledge of the law and jurisprude­nce, doctrines and principle laid down by our Supreme Court,” he said.

 ?? CONTRIBUTE­D FOTO ?? PROTECTION AT WORK. Some lawyers have resorted to carrying guns when attending trial at the Cebu City Hall of Justice following the fatal ambush of Atty. Jonnah John Ungab last Monday morning.
CONTRIBUTE­D FOTO PROTECTION AT WORK. Some lawyers have resorted to carrying guns when attending trial at the Cebu City Hall of Justice following the fatal ambush of Atty. Jonnah John Ungab last Monday morning.

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