IT WOULD be exactly one year ago on Sunday, December 2, that state university president Ricardo Rotoras was killed, but investigators still face a blank wall on the identity of the mastermind behind the crime.
Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo), said the Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) has yet to obtain strong evidence that would bring all personalities suspected of the Rotoras murder to justice.
He said there has been not enough proof also that would connect the primary person of interest to the case.
Police tagged architect Ray Galua as the primary person of interest after learning that the two, who were once "close friends", had a falling out because of the controversial P200-million construction project at the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP).
Galua was detained at the city jail because of a separate case of illegal possession of firearms and explosive charges.
Hortillosa said they were saddened because until now there are no essential pieces of evidence that could pinpoint the person who ordered the killing of the USTP president.
"Naguol mi kay wala pa gyud gihapon maayo nga development sa kaso and dili man pud nato mapugos ang ebidensya," he said.
(We are sad because there has been no development on the case and we could not force the evidence.)
Rotoras was shot dead outside his house in Upper Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City at around 1:00 a.m. on December 2, 2017. He sustained eight gunshot wounds from a caliber 45 pistol. He died on the way to the hospital.
Rotoras' wife and siblings have all submitted themselves to the investigation.
Hortillosa said all were tested negative in the lie detection test performed by the National Bureau of Investigation.
"Gihimo ang lie detection test para mahibal-an kung naa ba makaka sa ilang mga statements pero nakita sa result nga walay namakak sa ila,"Hortillosa said.
He also explained that the security camera footage secured by the police is still being enhanced while Rotoras' cellphone has not been opened yet because it needs technical experts to do so.
Hortillosa said investigators have assured that the family is always updated on the development of the case and that they are doing its best to completely solve the case.
He clarified that the case has not been close yet even if authorities have charged the alleged gunman identified as Johnreal Gumanay.
"Bisan pa unsa ka maayo sa investigators kung wala gyud makuha nga lead during sa investigation maglisod gyud pero naningkamot ug gibuhat gihapon tanan sa mga investigators ang ilang makaya," Hortillosa said.