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Tuesday, October 12, 2004
Prosecutor shot dead in her home
By Mia E. Abellana
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE private prosecutor handling the parricide case against former town mayor Ruben Ecleo Jr. was shot dead inside her office yesterday morning.
Arbet Sta. Ana-Yongco, 37, was sitting on a sofa still in her housedress when a man with a long gray beard entered the office and pumped four bullets into her cheek and neck at 8:45 a.m.
She was brought by her husband lawyer Filemon, brother PO2 Nathaniel Sta. Ana and Zapatera Barangay Captain Frank Benedicto to the Perpetual Succour Hospital but was declared dead at 9 a.m.
A cartographic sketch drawn based on descriptions of witnesses show that the gunman was over 40 years old, 5’5” to 5’6” tall, had a bulging stomach, brown complexion, wavy hair, thick eyebrows, deep set eyes and long grayish beard.
Yongco was alone in her office at the corner of Alcohol and Sikatuna Sts. while her husband and their helper were in the sari-sari store beside it when the gunman casually entered and fired away.
Motorcycle
He then ran to a waiting red motorcycle parked 10 meters away and then fled with the motorcycle driver towards T. Padilla St.
When Filemon heard the gunshots, he thought someone lit firecrackers outside and asked their helper to check.
The helper told reporters that when he went outside, he saw a man bringing a handgun get on the back of a motorcycle and then fled.
The next thing he knew, Yongco was already on the floor with blood around her head.
Filemon could not issue a statement to reporters because he was still in shock. “I cannot say anything yet. I hope you understand,” he said.
They will be designating a spokesperson to speak in behalf of the family in due time.
Prior to the attack, Yongco was talking to Niño Bacolod, brother of the slain Alona Bacolod-Ecleo, with instructions to bring documents in relation to a motion for inhibition they were going to file against Judge Ireneo Lee Gako.
Police are now studying the major cases Yongco was handling to see if these have any links to her death.
Aside from the parricide case against Ecleo for the killing of Alona, Yongco was handling the murder case of businessman Calvin Manulat in Danao City and the ownership battle of a beach resort in Badian town.
She recently won a rape case against Reynaldo Andus, a father who was sentenced to die by lethal injection 26 times.
Until they have sufficient evidence, police investigators refused to speculate on who could be behind Yongco’s killing.
First crack
Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said the police in Cebu will get “first crack” in the investigation. But if the police fail, he will task the National Bureau Investigation (NBI) to handle the case.
The Cebu City Homicide Section, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) 7 and the NBI 7 are working together to identify the gunman and establish the motive of the killing.
Filemon told Homicide Section Chief Mario Monilar that his wife did not mention threats to her life.
Yongco was an active crusader for women and children’s rights and helped victims who ran to the Crusade Against Violence (CAV) for help. (See related stories, A4)
Benedicto’s wife was first to inform the village chief after she heard the gunshots.
Well-planned
Benedicto believes the crime was well-planned, saying the street was normally busy and the gunman took his time until no one was around.
CIDG 7 Chief Salvador Manga Jr. said the gunman and his companion were seen hanging around the area before the attack. The gunman was also seen dialing his cellular phone.
Manga told reporters that right after making the call, the gunman went straight to Yongco’s office and then four gunshots were heard.
Manga believes the attacker called Yongco’s office to make sure the lawyer was inside.
Monilar, though, has yet to ask Filemon if they heard the phone ring before the gunshots rang out.
Two of the witnesses are now in the custody of the NBI 7.
The NBI 7 was keeping a tight watch at the port area yesterday for the gunman, as he might take vessels bound for Cagayan de Oro, Butuan and Surigao.
Yongco left behind three children—Arfil 10, David Christian, six and Pia, three.
Her body now lies at the Cebu Rolling Hills Memorial Homes in Banilad, Mandaue City. (With GC/GAN)
(October 12, 2004 issue)
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