Tuesday, September 26, 2006
IBP to skeptics: wait for expose
By Karlon N. Rama & Jovy S. Taghoy
CEBU CITY -- Lawyer Alex Tolentino, Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter president, knows something most people don't, but he isn't sharing the information. Not just yet, anyway.
"Please, just wait. I'm not bluffing. I'm a lawyer, not a poker player," he told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview Monday.
That was his response to a resolution from the Barangay Council of Pahina Central, Cebu City, which asked the IBP to reveal the names of those behind the summary executions that have hit Cebu City's streets since late 2004. At least 168 people have been killed so far.
Another man was gunned down by motorcycle-riding killers at the port area, bringing to two the number of victims killed in as many days.
Police investigators, however, said the attacks on trisikad driver Ritz M. Calero, 26, and taxi dispatcher Louiesito M. Solon, 43, could not be considered the handiwork of vigilantes.
2 officials
Calero was shot dead at 9:30 a.m. Monday in Pier 2, while Solon was killed at dawn last Saturday in Pier 1, both in Barangay San Roque, Cebu City.
Their attackers remain unidentified and at large, as do the killers behind nearly all of the 168 documented cases.
Police Regional Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. and acting Cebu City Police Director Melvin Gayotin are supporting the call for the IBP Cebu City Chapter officials to disclose the names of suspected vigilantes.
"That's what we are waiting for," Alarcio told reporters yesterday. The Regional Intelligence and Investigation Division (RIID) is coordinating with the IBP to help in the inquiry by the lawyers' group.
"(We hope this) is not a mere fairy-tale story or tele-series novel, wherein everybody would have to wait for the continuation of the story, and (in the process, hold) the public in suspense," the barangay council's resolution read.
Tolentino begged off from giving details, but said that one complaint has been filed against one of the suspects.
Timing
"It was filed by one of the law enforcement units we tapped for assistance. I will not say if the complaint is related to any killing but I am waiting for the release of the warrant of arrest," Tolentino added.
"Everything will be known in due time but, right now, we must not jeopardize the investigation," he said.
Tolentino and former chapter president Democrito Barcenas previously revealed they've got the names of six to eight men they believe are behind the attacks.
Tolentino planned to endorse the information to the Melo Commission but this didn't materialize.
He expressed frustration over statements that he is merely capitalizing on the vigilante issue because he plans to run for office.
"I have no political ambitions, whatsoever. And even if I had any, why would I want to involve myself in this when radio polls say more people are in favor of letting these vigilantes stay loose?"
Added Tolentino: "This is a very unpopular position. And if I decide to run with this, I would only lose."
Record
In Monday's attack, Calero was sitting on his trisikad, waiting for passengers at the entrance of Pier 2, when two men on a motorbike bumped his vehicle. Witnesses said the motorcycle was a blue Kawasaki Aura, without plate numbers.
The man riding in the back shot Calero at close range, hitting him in the face. Calero was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center but died before reaching the hospital.
Senior Police Officer 3 Alex Dacua's team and some personnel from the Scene of the Crime Operations (Soco) Central Visayas recovered six empty shells from a .22 revolver.
Calero had served a jail term for robbery at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center from July 31, 2003 to March 30, 2005.
San Roque Barangay Chief Rogelio Ruizo, who arrested Calero in 2003, said the man had been reformed and, to make a living, pedaled a trisikad and sometimes sold barbecue along V. Gullas St.
Dacua, in a separate interview, said Calero had gained notoriety in the area as a "manglubagay" or somebody who overcharged the trisikad fare. (Sun.Star Cebu)
(September 26, 2006 issue)
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