Slay suspects face murder raps

CEBU, Philippines - Murder cases will be filed today at the Regional Trial Court against the two suspects who are tagged responsible in the killing of a Marine Watch volunteer in Cordova town last week.

Cordova police chief Felix Pacaldo said the suspects, Dongkoy Yongco and Luis Fernandez, are temporarily detained at the Talisay City police stockade.

“Ugma (today) pa namo ma-file ang kaso kay holiday man ron and instructed by PD adto sila ibutang sa Talisay aron malikayan ang gubot naa unya’y mobawos,” Pacaldo told The FREEMAN over the phone.

Yongco and Fernandez voluntarily surrendered to Pooc, Talisay City barangay captain Doroteo Emit after six days of hiding in Barangay Doldol, Barili where they were arrested on Sunday about 5:30 in the morning.

Emit immediately cooperated with Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal after the family of the suspects informed him that the two will surrender in Barili town.

Digal right then dispatched personnel from the Provincial Investigation Branch (PIB) led by SPO1 Kenneth Abella to arrest the two.

The suspects explained that they do not have the intention to kill Rodrigo “Rudy” Sultan, 50, when he apprehended them for illegal fishing in the evening of December 19.

Fernandez alleged that Sultan fell into the seawater when Yongco tried to grab the victim’s firearm when he poked it at them.

Sultan reportedly went missing on December 20. He was last seen escorting the suspects to shore after the two, together with other four persons, were caught illegally fishing in the seawaters of Cordova.

Sultan was with a team headed by PO2 Charlie Valmoria when they conducted their patrol about 8:00 p.m. During the apprehension of the six fishermen, who were on board three boats, two men escaped while four of them were arrested and escorted by the Marine Watch members. The boat Sultan shared with Yongco and Fernandez later went missing.

Three days after intensive search and rescue operation, Sultan’s decomposing body was found in the waters of Barangay Day-as.

The victim’s body was positively identified by his wife Perigrina and other relatives even if he sustained hack wounds in his face and arm.

 As a result of the incident the provincial government is planning to give insurance to Bantay Dagat members in the province.

 Governor Gwendolyn Garcia reiterated her warning to illegal fishers that her campaign against them is “serious.” The suspects were presented before her at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport before she left for a trip outside the country Sunday evening.

 Cordova Mayor Adelino Sitoy told The FREEMAN that he will hand in today P10,000 cash assistance from the local government to the family of the victims. (FREEMAN NEWS)