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Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Wenceslao: Jojo’s Point
By Bong O. Wenceslao
I agree with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña only rarely. But there is something in his push to rename Kawit Island to Jojo’s Point. The word “point,” for example, is more appropriate than “island” for that place now, considering the South Reclamation Project. And I like the mayor mentioning the word “romantic” in his renaming argument.
It is widely believed that Cebu City Bantay Dagat project director and market administrator Elpidio “Jojo” de la Victoria was killed last week because of his effort to protect Metro Cebu’s marine resource. You name the city’s most prominent coast after him, plus put up a plaque somewhere and you remind people of Jojo’s cause. Romantic.
So Jojo’s Point? But that’s not the only point there. The problem with romantics is reality. Renaming Kawit Island to Jojo’s Point would matter only if hundreds or thousands of people more would pick up the cause that de la Victoria died for. If illegal fishing thrives again in Metro Cebu despite Jojo’s Point, then we’re missing the point.
***
When I heard over the radio that the suspect in the killing of Jojo de la Victoria was SPO1 Marcial Ocampo, I was like, “the name sounds familiar.” It turned out I was thinking about Marcial Bonifacio, former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino’s assumed name when he returned to the country on Aug. 21, 1983 for a date with destiny: death.
But is Ocampo really Jojo’s killer? Criminal Investigation and Detection Group 7 Chief Jose George Corpuz said four witnesses identified him---and they were 101 percent sure. Still, I have a problem with that. Sometimes, positive identification is not that positive, considering that minds can be swayed. And people’s features can be similar.
Or maybe I’m just thinking CSI. I mean the police should dig for other evidence, like slugs, etc. for a shut case. The bottom line is, no fall guys please.
Another thing: that there are blotches in Ocampo’s service record does not automatically mean he did kill Jojo. Records of past acts are useless without conclusive proof of the present criminal act.
***
Here’s a trivia about Jojo. He does not like to text. He submitted articles for Speak Out and hounded me so I would publish them. His method? Missed calls.
Hours before he was shot, I got a missed call from him. Maybe, I should publish the last article he sent me. So I wouldn’t get another missed call.
TEXTREAX. One texter who did not identify himself said he read my April 12 column and thanked me for writing about him. He said he was at NS Royale Pension House recovering from five wounds. That was Black Saturday. Jesus Christ? I checked my April 15 column and, sigh, must be Gilbert Bargayo.
(khanwens@yahoo.com/ 0915-9228651/khanwens.i.ph)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 19, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
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