Sunday, August 12, 2007 Town mayor questions ‘delay’ in cops’ response to shooting
THE body of slain village chief Cresencio Formentera Estrera was taken to Barangay Sta. Cruz, San Francisco, Camotes Island yesterday morning.
San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano, who immediately paid a visit to the family, said he was saddened when he heard of Estrera’s death.
“Subo lang sad kayo kay nahitabo dili layo sa police station unya wa dayon sila nakaresponde (It was just too bad that the incident took place right near the police station and the police weren’t able to respond immediately),” he said in a telephone interview yesterday.
Estrera was shot dead in front of the Danao City plaza shortly before noon Friday, as he was about to meet his brothers.
He had just attended a court hearing at the Danao City Regional Trial Court and was arranging for a pump boat to take his brothers back to Camotes Island.
The gunman then fled to a waiting red motorcycle, which sped towards Carmen town.
Arquillano described Estrera as a good leader, pointing out that he was able to serve three terms as barangay captain of Sta. Cruz.
He said Estrera was very active in the barangay and feared there were some persons who did not like it.
Many from the opposition apparently did not like him, but the mayor doubts they were capable of having Estrera killed.
Estrera’s plan to seek a seat in the barangay council in October is one of the angles investigators of the Danao City Police are looking into.
They are also checking a frustrated murder case filed by Roland Montalban against the victim and the death of a suspected drug pusher as a result of a police operation.
Police, however, are more drawn to the incident involving the death of the suspected drug pusher.
Remigio “Remy” Arias allegedly fled from a buy-bust conducted by six members of the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch in July 2004.
Because he reportedly fired at one of the policemen, they were forced to shoot him.
The six are facing a murder charge filed by Arias’ family.
Supt. Larson Dechino of the Danao City Police Station said he has ordered operatives to check the background of a person they have a lead on, but declined to disclose more details.
He added that Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria has ordered him to coordinate with the San Francisco Police Station.
Valmoria did not give him a timeframe for the investigation but told him to make sure all angles are covered.
Dechino believes they will get more background information in San Francisco and added that Estrera’s family already expressed their full cooperation. He said they are prioritizing this case to make sure it is solved. (MEA)
