Sunday, August 19, 2007 Cops asked to explain late response
INVESTIGATORS of the Danao City police have narrowed down on one angle in their probe on the killing of Sta. Cruz, San Francisco barangay captain Cresencio Formentera Estrera.
But they still need to explain to Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria why it took them some time to respond to the incident.
San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano earlier expressed disappointment, saying the plaza where Estrera was killed is just meters from the Danao City Police Station.
Estrera had just attended a court hearing at the Regional Trial Court in Danao City for a frustrated murder case filed against him and his brothers in 2004.
He was on his way to meet his brothers at the wharf to see if they made arrangements about going back to Camotes Island.
Valmoria told reporters that Danao City Police Station Chief Larson Dechino has been asked to submit a report detailing why it took time for them to respond to the incident when the crime scene is but meters from the station.
One angle
As for updates on the investigation, Valmoria said they are now concentrating on one angle.
“The investigation is on the right track. We now have a positive result of the investigation and we are focusing on a particular angle. But I don’t want to disclose it yet,” he told reporters.
Earlier, the Danao City police said they were focusing on three angles: politics, a frustrated murder case the victim was facing, and his involvement in a drug raid that led to a suspected drug pusher’s death.
Estrera was on his last term as barangay captain but was seeking a seat in the barangay council. Arquillano and Estrera’s brother Pepito said Estrera was a strong leader in the town.
Estrera was also blamed for the death of suspected drug pusher Remigio Arias in July 2004.
A team from the Provincial Intelligence and Investigation Branch had conducted a raid against Arias in Barangay Sta. Cruz. However, Arias allegedly escaped and fired at one of the operatives, prompting them to fire back. (MEA)
