Wednesday, August 11, 2004 Victim 61 involved in illegal drugs: wife By Joy G. Romares
DAVAO CITY -- Danilo Mandelo's wife said Tuesday that her husband, the 61st victim in the spate of vigilante-style killings in Davao City since January, had been involved in the illegal drugs trade.
Police also said Mandelo was on their watchlist for his alleged involvement in illegal drugs. He was once charged for frustrated murder.
Mandelo's wife Evelyn, mother of five, of Purok 16, Barangay 76-A, Bolton Isla, said she has prepared herself for any eventuality.
"Dili nako ilimod nga nagabaligya na siya og drugs. Lima among anak ug dili namo mahimo nga mosalig na lang sa among mga ginikanan," Evelyn said. (I will not deny that he was pushing illegal drugs. We have five children and we cannot just depend on our parents.)
Mandelo, 46, was shot and killed by two unidentified gunmen in Bolton Isla at around 12:45 p.m. Monday.
He succumbed to gunshot wounds in the back and head.
Evelyn said her husband had been arrested before because of his alleged involvement in a frustrated murder case.
But during his arrest, authorities recovered a sachet of suspected shabu from his possession.
Evelyn said the victim was jailed for two years and four months for drug possession and was allegedly acquitted of frustrated murder.
"Naaresto na siya sauna tungod sa kasong frustrated murder. Pagdakop sa iyaha, nakuhaan siya og shabu. Katong iyang pagkapriso dili to para sa kasong frustrated murder kay na-acquit man to. Ang kapin duha niya ka-tuig sa prisohan, sa drugs to," Evelyn said. (He was arrested before for frustrated murder. During his arrest, police recovered shabu from him. He was jailed for more than two years not for frustrated murder because it was dismissed, but for drugs.)
She said her husband could have joined a drug syndicate if not for the "iron fist" policy of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs.
"Dili lang unta na siya runner-runner lang anang drugs kung wala lang gyod na siya naghatag og gamay nga respeto sa sugo ni mayor," she said. (He could not have been a small-time drug pusher if he did not give little respect to the mayor.)
When asked whether she believes that vigilantes were the ones responsible for her husband's death, she just replied: "Wala koy ikasulti ana, Diyos na lang bahala sa ilaha." (I don't want to comment on that. Only God knows.)
Chief Insp. Matthew Baccay of the San Pedro Police confirmed that Danilo was on their watchlist.
Police said Madelo was standing outside his house at around 12:45 p.m. Monday when two unidentified men approached and shot him once from behind.
Madelo allegedly tried to escape from his attackers, but was cornered and shot several times, causing his immediate death.
The assassins ran toward a narrow alley and disappeared.
The Scene of the Crime and Operation (Soco) team led by Chief Insp. Alfonso Saligumba recovered four deformed slugs and four empty shells of caliber .45 pistol at the crime scene.
(August 11, 2004 issue) Write letter to the editor.Click here. Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here.
Gov't wants 1 tax measure passed by yearend