Cops to name mastermind in Imok’s ambush this week
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 has promised that charges will be filed against the mastermind in the ambush of former Ermita Barangay captain Felicisimo "Imok" Rupinta before the year ends.
As this developed, Imok’s daughter, Efe, formally assumed office yesterday as barangay councilwoman after taking his oath before Cebu City Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella.
PRO-7 Head Chief Superintendent Jose Mario Espino told reporters, in a press conference yesterday, that they will only name the mastermind once they have filed the case.
“We will be filing soon yung case. Hindi pa (in reference to revealing the identity of the mastermind) pag-file na lang. Promise ko bago mag new year ma i-file,” Espino said.
He added that the investigation took time to ensure the strength of the evidence to be presented in court.
“Mga evidence natin, mga witnesses na kailangan i-file natin, we really have to complete all the affidavits. Mahirap mag-file ng hindi sigurado,” Espino said.
Espino assured that the investigation will proceed “smoothly” despite the relief of the chief of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) Superintendent Reynaldo Magdaluyo, who was responsible in the case building against the mastermind in Rupinta’s ambush.
“Relief of an officer will not affect yung case. May investigator naman diyan, at nandiyan yung case folders. The case will still progress, based sa data na nakuha namin. Ang dokumento nasa RSOG hinid naman dinala, it was properly turned over yung documents,” he said.
Espino dismissed speculations about Magdaluyo’s relief that it has to do with the investigation of the case. He said that relief of an officer is caused by internal operations.
“Sa PNP, the only permanent here is change. Kaya normal yun sa officers, they have to be relieved to be designated in different position, para magkaroon ng well-rounded assignment,” Espino said.
RSOG Deputy Chief Emmanuel Gomez will replace Magdaluyo.
Meanwhile, Efe, in an interview, admitted that it took time for her to accept the position because she knew that being a barangay official comes with a responsibility.
“Sa tinood lang dugay gyud ko naka-decide kay nagtuo ko ang politika dili sayon-sayon sudlan ba mura rag pultahan nga mosulod or mogawas lang ka.
So, once nga mosulod ka dapat usa gyud ang hunahuna nga mao na ang dalan nga imong lakwonon,” she told reporters.
Efe said his father’s willingness to serve the residents of Ermita pushed her to enter politics for the second time.
“Hangtod (karon) sige ko huna-huna, nakahinomdom lang ko sa giingon sa akoang amahan nga kung magkinaunsa man gani gusto siya ako ang mopuli niya,” she said.
From 2007 to 2010, Efe served as the barangay’s Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson.
Upon her assumption yesterday, Efe vows to serve the welfare of Barangay Ermita, especially the unfortunate residents.
Being a young official, she wants to have programs for the youth.
“Ang pagtabang sa kabos, sa mga vendors mao gyud na, ang mahimong tingog sa mga kabos,” Efe said.
In a separate interview, Labella said appointing Efe as barangay councilor is pursuant to the Local Government Code to appoint someone to fill in a vacant position.
“Dako kaayo nga importansiya labi na ang Barangay Ermita is perceived to be ingnon nato punga nga drug infested. It’s the perception, so makatabang kay ni kay ang mga batan-on will have a big say in the fight against illegal drugs. Kay kini man gud kumbati sa ginadiling drugas dili raman ni concern sa law enforcement authorities, but it is a community concern,” Labella said.