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Thursday, April 13, 2006
Bantay Dagat chief attacked at gate of his house
CEBU CITY -- Cebu City Government official Elpidio "Jojo" de la Victoria was shot three times Wednesday while he was about to enter the gate of his house in San Roque, Talisay City.
Bullets hit de la Victoria in the arm, thigh and back, with one bullet tearing out through his abdomen. He was, however, conscious at the Chong Hua emergency room, while doctors prepared for his transfer to the operating theater.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña offered a reward of P200,000 for information leading to the arrest of de la Victoria’s gunman.
De la Victoria serves as director of the Cebu City Bantay Dagat Commission and concurrent market administrator.
One witness, who requested not to be named, said he and his companion chased the fleeing gunman right after the shooting. He was described as about 5'6", fair-skinned, and wearing a black hat that partly covered his eyes.
The gunman hailed a tricycle, which a crowd of civilians managed to block some 50 meters from the crime scene. But the gunman then alighted and aimed his firearm at the crowd, which retreated. He hopped aboard a passing taxicab (GWU-699).
Police later found the taxicab, whose driver said he was only forced to take the gunman as passenger. A companion of the gunman fled on a motorcycle.
Lawyer Antonio Oposa, who works with de la Victoria in the Visayan Sea Squadron, said they have both been receiving threats after working to exclude commercial fishing operators from the Visayan seas.
One of de la Victoria’s officemates believes that the victim’s recent involvement in a campaign to save the Visayan seas prompted the attack.
Blood loss
Dela Victoria suffered blood loss, but as of 7 p.m. Wednesday night, his blood pressure, which was still below normal, improved said Councilor Jack Jakosalem.
The attacked happened 3:30 p.m. at the gate of his house in Ramona Village, Sitio Dawis, Barangay San Roque.
Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau (CIIB) Chief Paul Labra said that at least two witnesses saw the gunman's face, but he asked that their identities be withheld.
The gunman reportedly covered his head with a black bush hat, which partly covered his eyes.
One witness, who asked Sun.Star Cebu to withhold his name, can identify the gunman if he sees him again.
He and some of his neighbors chased the gunman right after the shooting. But when they got near him, the man pointed his pistol at them, then boarded a passing taxi.
Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Mayor Osmeña and Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. visited dela Victoria at the emergency room.
The officials then consoled his wife Evelyn and his son Vincent outside the operating room. Cebu City police officials also visited dela Victoria
Labra said his office is coordinating with Talisay City Police Office in gathering information on the attack.
Early
De la Victoria's driver Romeo de la Cerna said he dropped the official off outside his house past 3 p.m. They arrived earlier than their usual past 5 p.m. schedule since the City declared a half day of work.
De la Cerna said the victim brought six kilos of tuber crops to have it cooked for during the Holy Week break.
After de la Cerna's multicab left, dela Victoria first went to his mother's house across the street.
When he returned to open his gate, the gunman approached him from behind and shot him.
The witness said they heard three shots. He thought it was nothing until de la Victoria's son shouted, "Gibirahan si Papa (Papa has been shot)."
They chased the gunman, who first got on a tricycle, but the witness and his companion shouted "kawatan (thief)," prompting those in the street to block the tricycle.
They caught up with the man some 50 meters from the crime scene, but he alighted and pointed his pistol at them.
When the crowd retreated, the man took the taxi, which sped off.
Warnings
They took note of the plate number, and police later intercepted the taxicab. The driver, Roberto Goc-ong, is now being investigated.
Meanwhile, Talisay Mayor Socrates “Soc” Fernandez expressed sadness upon hearing that dela Victoria was shot.
“I’m praying for his survival,” said Fernandez.
Fernandez and dela Victoria are both active in church-based activities in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City.
Dela Victoria often ignored his friends’ warnings to be more conscious of his security because of his risky job. But he was often heard as saying that he would just leave his fate to God.
Aside from his posts as market administrator and Bantay Dagat director, dela Victoria is also president of the Philippine National Association of Fish Wardens and executive director of the Cebu City coastal management board. (OCP/With GC/Sun.Star Cebu)
(April 13, 2006 issue)
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