Leave Cebu or die
DRUG PERSONALITIES WARNED
In the wake of killings targeting former and incumbent officials linked to illegal drugs, the chief of Cebu City Police Office has given an advice to drug personalities – leave Cebu or risk getting killed.
“Kung (kayo) ay involved in drugs, you leave the city if you want to live in peace,” CCPO Director Senior Superintendent Royina Garma said. “Leave the city. Find a place where drugs (are) okay. Punta ka dun where drug users and drug pushers are welcome, ganun lang yun.”
Less than 24 hours before Garma made the remarks, a former barangay councilor of Lorega-San Miguel allegedly involved in illegal drugs was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on Imus Road in Sitio Lumar, Barangay Lorega.
Glenn Mark Manala, 39, just came from a friend’s wake Wednesday evening when the perpetrator shot him.
Though authorities are now discounting personal grudge in their investigation, they are also looking at illegal drugs as a motive, especially since Manal was included in the watchlist of Parian police for illegal drugs.
“Kung natokhang ka na, imo-monitor ka talaga. Kung bumalik ka ba sa dati or you're still active or what…basta nasa listahan siya ng watchlist ng PNP,” Garma said.
Before the incident, Manal attended the wake of Russ Aquino, a former convict for an illegal drugs case who was also gunned down by unidentified men inside Lorega-San Miguel's public market last week.
A witness to Manal's shooting was able to describe the features of the gunman.
“We are looking sa gallery namin kung sino ang mag-fit sa description and from there, we will show it to our witness. Baka mayroon siyang ma-identify roon,” said Garma.
Garma gave a 48-hour ultimatum for Parian police to solve the case; otherwise she will demand an explanation from them.
“They have to explore. They have to use their skills in interviewing (witnesses) and convince kung sino ang nagbigay ng information to come out and put it into writing,” she said.
MABANO KILLING
Just two days ago, Kalunasan, Cebu City barangay councilor-elect Roel Mabano was also daringly shot by a lone gunman in front of the barangay hall. He was also said to be involved in illegal drugs.
Joy Calvo, director of Department of the Interior and Local Government in Cebu City, said the barangay council has, so far, not recommended a name to replace Mabano.
She said the family may be entitled to death claims of Mabano as barangay councilor, depending on the results of police investigation.
“Pero depende sa report sa police kung drug-related siya. Naa man gud toy giannounce nga isyu nga naa siya sa narco list so questionable pa kung maka-claim ba,” Calvo said. A retired police officer, Mabano ran and won as the barangay councilor in Kalunasan last May.
REWARD
At the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Tomas Osmeña has dangled a cash reward to anyone who can provide links to Mabano and Manal's attackers.
“I'm offering a P100,000 reward (for each case) to any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the killers,” Osmeña said, adding he will use his personal money for it.
Osmeña stressed the possibility that the series of killings may be connected, that's why he is asking the public's cooperation in reporting any suspicious-looking individuals for the law enforcers to take action.
Garma, however, separately said ongoing investigations found no connection between the killings of Mabano and Manal.
Contrary to police reports, Osmeña pointed out that Manal was no longer involved in illegal activity.
“He was allegedly involved before but now, no. His father was in jail. I know him. I don't think he was involved in the past few months,” he said.
The mayor also announced suspending the allowances to Lorega's barangay tanods for a month for their supposed failure to curtail illegal activities within the barangay.
“I will suspend the incentives (P4,000 each) of all the tanods in Lorega-San Miguel for one month. Because (the barangay) is notorious for drug activities. I'm sending a message and I'm going to do this to other barangays,” he said.
COPS ‘NOT BEHIND’ KILLINGS
As bodies of drug-linked suspects pile up, Garma has urged drug personalities to leave Cebu. Otherwise, they are likely to die as they may be caught in the middle of a turf war among illegal drug operators.
The illegal drug business, she said, is a complex web, and it is hard to pinpoint whose turf is going after an alleged drug personality.
“We are going after them. We are monitoring their activities. If may grupo man, we will identify. The complexities of illegal drug trading, hindi mo kaibigan lahat. Better stop kasi it makes it complicated,” Garma said.
Garma also brushed off insinuations police are responsible for the series of attacks on drug personalities, saying they are being blamed out of spite from the community.
Even then, she said police have accepted that they cannot please everybody. In fact, she said cops are aimlessly blamed and criticized, whether for an arrest or an accomplishment.
“We will not be able to please everybody. Kapag may nahuli, sasabihin ng pamilya na inosente, mabait. Pag may na-engage sa illegal drugs, sasabihin planted. Pag may namatay, sasabihin pulis pumatay. Saan (lulugar) ang pulis?” she said.
Garma said anti-illegal drug operations are only a portion of their job to maintain peace and order. With its geographical location, she added, it's no doubt illegal drugs abound in Cebu, it being a transshipment point.