Lapu barangay captain accused of coddling five suspects

CEBU, Philippines - A former village chief of an islet in Lapu-Lapu City yesterday accused the incumbent barangay captain of allegedly harboring suspected criminals when he failed to surrender to the police the suspects in the killing of a supporter of Mayor Arturo Radaza.

Pangan-an former barangay chairman Virgilio Casiao told The FREEMAN that he is set to consult first a lawyer before he decides to file a case against Pangan-an barangay captain Climaco Tatoy.

Casiao said 30-year-old Nicasio Sumalinog Pogoy, a fisherman and a supporter of Radaza, suffered a gunshot wound on the head last Saturday dawn.

Lapu-Lapu Police investigators identified the suspects as Arnulfo “Roque” Pogoy, Jerry Nanoy, Joselito Mellino, Jonas Pogoy and Benigno Menguito.

Casiao told The FREEMAN they learned after the incident that the suspects ran inside the house reportedly owned by Tatoy.

He said that Tatoy allegedly failed to inform the police of the incident.

“Mao lagi na among gikabalak-an kay wala man dayon niya ma-surrender ngadto’s kapolisan ang mga suspetsado,” Casiao said.

But Casiao said he will consult first a lawyer before he makes a decision to file a case for obstruction of justice against Tatoy.

Tatoy bolted the camp of Radaza and announced his full support to the mayoralty bid of Lapu-Lapu City councilor Junard “Ahong” Chan.

Casiao said that Arnulfo and his companions were supporters of Chan, a political rival of Radaza. Nanoy works with the Lupong Tagapamayapa (a mediation system based in the barangay level); Menguito is the chief tanod while Mellino is a tanod who works under him.

Nestor Ymbong, a spokesman of Mayor Radaza, said that they suspect some groups are creating scenarios so that Lapu-Lapu City will be placed under the control of the Commission on Elections this coming May 10 local and national elections.

Police investigators said Nicasio was with Tanny Caballa, 26, Benigno Caballa, 23, and Ernesto Orongcol, 29. They just came from sitio Tungasan where they attended a benefit dance.

Tanny told police investigators that past 11 p.m. Friday, the dance was cut short after three shots were fired. Nicasio, who was standing right next to Tanny fell on the ground at the third shot, witnesses said. — Jose P. Sollano/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)