TASK Force Hapsay Dalan (TFHD) chief lawyer Edgardo Uy said the fatal shooting of a traffic enforcer Friday, December 30, may be work-related.
The enforcer, identified as Cris Cabingas, was shot from behind by an as yet unidentified gunmen on board a motorcycle at about 6 p.m. Friday and died the following morning from three bullet wounds.
Uy said Cabingas, who had served in the Roads and Traffic Administration for the past three years, was attacked after having been identified as a team leader of the traffic aides that conduct clearing operations at the market place.
But Uy said Cabingas was trained and was diplomatic when implementing the policies around the Cogon area to ensure orderly and safe roads and sidewalks.
Uy added the police has also questioned a person, who he declined to name, whom supposedly spread word that an RTA enforcer would "not reach the new year."
"Naa nay gikwesyon ang police nga nag-ingon nga naay RTA nga dili magdugay. Posible kini mahimong witness aron madakpan ang suspect ug diha nato maklaro unsa ang motive (The police already questioned a person, whom spread words that an RTA enforcer would not live longer. He/she can be a possible witness to the arrest of the suspect and from there we can identify the motive)," Uy said.
The RTA has issued a statement condemning the murder of one of its dedicated traffic enforcers who was shot along JR Borja-Guillermo Streets near Cogon Market Friday, December 30.
"The surreptitious and barbaric shooting of Mr. Cabingas, a criminal act for which the perpetrator must be brought before the bar of justice, has no place in a civilized society like Cagayan de Oro City," part of the RTA statement reads.
Mayor Oscar Moreno over the weekend ordered the creation of "Task Force Cabingas" for the speedy investigation of the incident.
The special investigation task force is headed by city police director Senior Superintendent Ronnie Francis Cariaga and co-chaired by councilor Romeo Calizo, chairman of the City Council committee on police.
Task Force members include the overseer of the RTA and City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council, Department of the Interior and Local Government city director, and representatives of the National Bureau of Investigation, Regional Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, Promote CDO, and youth sector.
A task force is tasked to formulate measures and strategies that will ensure effective coordination and collaboration among the respective agencies in gathering information that will lead to the immediate identification, arrest, and prosecution of the perpetrators.