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Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Shooting caps fraternity's revelry
CEBU CITY -- An Alpha Kappa Rho (Akrho) fratman was killed while another one survived a shooting Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Panganiban and Sanciangko Streets in Cebu City.
The attack marred the end of Akrho's four-day celebration of its 33rd anniversary.
Akrho regional president Richard Buscaino, in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, denounced the attack. He declined to say whether he had any suspects in mind.
A text message received by Sun.Star Cebu from a rival fraternity, Tau Gamma, stated: "The Tau Gamma Phi Cebu Provincial Council has already issued a memorandum to all chapters to let Akrho enjoy their anniversary in peace."
SPO2 Alex Dacua of the Cebu City Police Homicide Section said the fatality was identified only as Glenn of Tuburan, Cebu. He died of a gunshot wound in the right temple.
The survivor was a 16-year-old laborer who lives in Barangay Saiz, Tuburan.
Homeward
Dacua said the initial information revealed the two were walking at 1:50 p.m. when a lone gunman approached them and shot Glenn, though he was unprovoked.
They were on their way to a terminal to take a vehicle bound for their hometown, after joining the organization's celebration in Cebu City. Earlier in the day, the celebration featured a motorcade of at least 20 jeepneys and trucks, all plastered with Akrho banners and crammed with members of the fraternity.
Hero (real name withheld) tried to scamper for safety but a bullet found its way to his left elbow.
Glenn died before reaching the Cebu City Medical Center.
Interviewed at the city hospital, Hero confirmed to Dacua that they were Akrho members.
The gunman was described as about 20 to 25 years old, but no other identifying details were available.
Traffic jam
Although the 16-year-old was a victim in the shooting incident, Dacua said the Mobile Patrol will be filing a complaint against the teenager for concealing a deadly weapon. An improvised hunting knife was found in his possession.
Buscaino, in a mobile phone interview, said that up until the shooting, Akrho had enjoyed a peaceful celebration that started last Saturday.
"I would just let the police solve the case. It's not proper to name names. Baka may nasuya na laing grupo (Perhaps envy got the better of another group)," Buscaino said.
Before the shooting, only complaints from motorists-about the traffic that the convoy of vehicles caused-marred Akrho's celebration.
Cebu City Police Director Melvin Gayotin said one of those who complained was Vice Mayor Michael Rama.
Gayotin said the City Traffic Operations Management's enforcers also issued citations to the drivers of the jeepneys used in the motorcade, for allowing groups to sit on the roof.
Guns sought
Gayotin and Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau Chief Pablo Labra II said they could not prevent the motorcade because the Cebu City Government issued Akrho a permit for it.
Tuesday's shooting also came up when Barangay Pahina Central officials asked the Cebu City Government to provide guns not only to barangay captains, but to the tanods as well.
They also asked for an increase in the tanods' honoraria.
In a proposed resolution, they said the tanods are "frontliners in combat against terrorists, insurgents and criminals" in each barangay.
But unless they get their own gun and have it licensed, then secure another permit to carry it outside their homes, tanods are virtually helpless when they confront lawless elements with high-powered firearms.
Led by Barangay Captain Sisinio Andales, a lawyer, Pahina Central officials said they and the tanods are willing to heed President Arroyo's call for an all-out war against the New People's Army.
Unarmed
They also support Mayor Tomas Osmeña's plan to arm mountain barangay captains with M-16 rifles for better protection against criminals and rebels as they survey their communities.
But, they added, tanods of Cebu City's 80 barangays are "helpless" when responding to incidents involving armed persons.
As an example, Andales cited Tuesday's fatal shooting of an Akrho fratman.
Andales said that a tanod about 50 meters away saw the assault, but hesitated to accost the gunman because he had no firearm with him.
It was the tanod who immediately called for police assistance, Andales added.
Andales, though, clarified their request should apply only to qualified tanods, or those who passed gun safety training, a drug test and a psychological test. (JST/With RHM/Sun.Star Cebu)
(August 9, 2006 issue)
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