2 suspects in Talisay ambush identified

Saturday, February 4, 2012

TWO of the four suspects in the ambush that killed three people in Talisay City last Wednesday afternoon, possibly over a land dispute, were identified.

A team led by SPO4 Daniel Tarucan went in pursuit of one suspect yesterday, but while no one was arrested yet, authorities assured some progress was made.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

A sketch based on descriptions from five witnesses helped identify the suspects in the shooting of Virginia Sesbreño, 65, Joshua Young, 30, and Soledad Epanto.

“We already have leads to the identity of the suspects, but we are still developing these by having a thorough investigation,” said Talisay City Police Chief Eddie Recamara.

He told Sun.Star Cebu the assailant who drove the red motorcycle during the ambush at 3:44 p.m. last Wednesday was a resident of Talisay City, while the gunman is a hired thug from another part of Metro Cebu.

The Provincial Investigation and Detective Management Branch (PIDMB) and the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) were tapped to help the Talisay City police investigate the ambush in Barangay Cansojong, Talisay City.

Supt. Henry Biñas, PIDMB chief, said in a phone interview they discussed in a case conference last Thursday some evidence that may help solve the crime.

Peter Sesbreño, Virginia’s son, told ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol last Thursday that his family has received death threats. Peter, his father Atty. Raul Sesbreño, and a relative received a bullet each.

According to the same report, Soledad’s son also overheard someone threaten the Sesbreño family during a demolition of illegal structures on their land.

“Basta maguba ilang balay, naa kuno’y mahitabo (They said there would be payback if their houses were destroyed),” he said.

CPPO Director Patrocinio Comendador said the police are “working very hard to solve” the case.

An autopsy yielded four deformed slugs from the victims’ bodies, said Dr. Nestor Sator, medico-legal officer.

Virginia bore two gunshot wounds on her right arm and back. The first bullet hit her right shoulder, but it was the second shot that did the most damage, hitting her vital organs.

Young, a businessman, was hit twice in his right arm, and one of the bullets ripped through his abdomen. Epanto was hit thrice: in her right armpit, wrist and hand.

Police Chief Recamara told Sun.Star Cebu that Epanto, a 51-year-old neighbor of the Sesbreños, apparently tried to protect Virginia from the attack by raising her arms.

“The results will be sent to a ballistician in the forensic laboratory to determine the caliber of firearm used by the gunman, for comparisons with other cases,” Sator said.

Last Sept. 8, Sun.Star Cebu reported that an eight-month-old baby, along with two other minors, was rescued in Barangay Lawaan II, Talisay after a court sheriff padlocked their house.

Atty. Sesbreño was with a sheriff to implement an eviction order on that day.

The minors were trapped for few hours inside their house while their door was barricaded with some wooden planks.

The Sesbreño family will now be provided with security.

“We will arrange for the escort with them and we will let them choose the police who will guard them,” said Recamara, the Talisay City police chief.

The police will invite for questioning five occupants of the houses demolished on the Sesbreño property.

Atty. Sesbreño said they know how the mastermind is and will press charges after his wife’s burial. He is now staying in safehouse.

Sesbreño’s nephew, who refused to be named, alleged that during the demolition of the houses last Wednesday morning, one of the residents threatened them, saying, “Mangahurot gyud mong tanan (We will wipe you out).”

Ranulfo Daligdig, a representative of the informal settlers, said they are ready to face any accusations from the Sesbreños.

“It is their right to file any case, but we also have the right to defend ourselves,” said Daligdig.