WHEN the dust cleared and only the news of Jaguar’s death emerged, the people inside the compound of Cebu’s biggest drug lord wept in distress.
A certain Linda, who asked not to be named, said she cried the first time she heard the news.
“Nakahilak ko kay tungod sa iyang kaayo, (I cried because of his generosity,)” she said.
Jaguar was known in his compound in Duljo-Fatima as a benefactor, especially in times of financial emergency or occasions like Christmas.
During the fire that razed Sitio Micabaja in January this year, when 65 families were left homeless, Jaguar donated P10,000 cash to every family.
Linda admitted that she turned a blind eye to his illegal drug activities, and lauded his generous nature.
“Ang gobyerno gani wala kaduol namo, maypa siya, (The government didn’t even assist us, he was the one who really helped),” she added.
Jaguar, she said, also sent families in Duljo 10 kilos of Ganador rice and groceries during Christmas, although it stopped last year.
Racquel, her daughter, said that Jaguar would let them line up and would personally hand the groceries to them.
She said that she was shocked when she heard the news and couldn’t believe it at first.
Jaguar even built a house for a teacher in front of the compound, which the latter later turned into a daycare center.
The people inside the compound were reportedly emotional over his death and felt remorse.
One of the residents said that the people inside the compound were saddened by the fact that they voted for Mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña.
“Pwerteng mahay nilang Tomas kay daghan man gud nangbotar niya diri, (We really regret that many of us voted for Tomas here)”, he said.
He said that Tomas had a voice among the people inside the compound and they respected him, but they felt guilt because Jaguar was dead.
They are still hopeful that Jaguar’s death will usher a new time of peace without drugs.
There are about 25,000 residents in Duljo-Fatima and some live in close-packed shanties.