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Thursday, June 29, 2006
Vigilantes, NPA not behind traffic cop attack: police
CEBU CITY -- The attack on a Cebu City policeman last Tuesday night appeared that it was planned, said a top police official.
Although Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Melvin Gayotin said the shooting of PO3 Allan Magalso was not the work of vigilantes or the New People's Army (NPA) hit squad, they cannot also rule these out.
Right now, CCPO's strongest lead is that the attack may be linked to a transport-related incident last June 19.
That day, a protesting jeepney driver almost ran over Magalso and threatened the traffic policeman.
"That's the nearest angle that we could connect," Gayotin said.
The theory on vigilantes or their copycats was raised because the gunman wore a mask and rode a motorcycle.
On the other hand, the theory on the NPA hitman rests on the current "war" waged by the Arroyo administration and, in Cebu, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia against the communists.
It was also fueled by reports that Sparrow units of the NPA have already made their way to Cebu.
But the incident could not be considered vigilante-style, Gayotin said, because the gunman carried out the crime alone and shot Magalso from several meters away.
The vigilante-style killings in Cebu City have claimed at least 167 lives since December 2004. No suspects have been arrested so far despite calls from the Cebu Archdiocese, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Commission on Human Rights for the police to take a more decisive action.
Magalso, a speed cop from the Cebu City Traffic Division, was awarded yesterday morning with a "Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting."
He received the medal in a ceremony at his hospital bed. Police Regional Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. and other officials handed over the medal.
The Cebu City Government, according to Alarcio and Gayotin, will shoulder his hospital expenses.
Alarcio told Magalso to get well soon. "We need you in the service"
Alarcio said the incident that almost took Magalso's life should not discourage the police.
"We recognize that there are risks in the police service. There are risks that we have to take," said the official.
Magalso survived a gunshot wound in the left portion of his buttock. The bullet exited through his abdomen.
A lone masked man on board a Crypton motorcycle shot Magalso thrice at the back as he was on his way home about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.
It was shortly after he accosted a motorcycle boarded by Glenmar Albinto and Daniel Quijano whom he spotted taking a one-way road along Katipunan Street
Albinto was driving without license.
Albinto and Quijano were invited to the Homicide Section to issue a statement about the shooting.
But they were released after the police found no evidence to hold them.
In a brief interview at the Chong Hua Hospital, Magalso said he was not able to take a look at the gunman. Aside from shooting his back, the gunman's face was also covered.
Magalso fired back but he is not sure if he hit the gunman.
He has someone in mind, but declined to disclose who could be behind the incident.
Homicide investigator SPO3 Alex Dacua's team and personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operation 7 recovered two empty shells of 9-mm caliber from Magalso's service firearm and two deformed slug of undetermined caliber. (JST of Sun.Star Cebu)
(June 29, 2006 issue)
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