Lorega tanod in slay of pusher sends feelers on his surrender

CEBU, Philippines - The barangay tanod who reportedly killed an alleged illegal drug peddler the other day on New Imus Road in barangay Lorega-San Miguel sent feelers to police through the barangay captain on his intention to surrender in a week’s time.

Bryan Mabaga was identified as the gunman who shot to death 25-year-old Eric Fuentes of Purok 5, barangay Kamputhaw past 4 a.m. last Monday.

Lorega barangay captain Fritz Herrera said that Mabaga, who he described to be a “performing tanod” responsible for a number of arrests in their barangay, said it would take a week for the suspect to voluntarily turn himself over to the authorities for fear of the kind of life he would have behind bars.

However, Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu City Police Office, has assured that the police will secure his safety at the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center where he will be jailed. Also, Mabaga is assured of fair investigative proceedings, he added.

Senior Insp. Vicente Velasquez, chief of the CCPO-Homicide Section, said that a case for either homicide or murder against the suspect will be filed most possibly by tomorrow.

Fuentes had allegedly been jailed twice for petty crimes.

He was also allegedly known as a drug peddler in Kamputhaw. In fact, five sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu were recovered from his pocket after he was killed. A black toy gun was also found near his body. – Niña G. Sumacot/MEEV (FREEMAN NEWS)