CIDG-7 stands by its findings vs Ramirez

CEBU, Philippines - The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 stood firm on its findings that Medellin Mayor Ricardo Ramirez accidentally killed his trusted aide Edilberto Abao despite of the fact-finding report of the Department of Interior and Local Government that found contrary to their findings.

CIDG-7 director Senior Supt. Ramon Rafael said it was established in their investigation that Ramirez accidentally fired a gun and hit Abao causing the latter’s death.

But the DILG-7 fact-finding team said Abao did not die of the gunshot wound but of cardiac arrest shortly after his operation.

Rafael said they have three witnesses who will prove that Ramirez accidentally shot Abao in Barangay Camputatan Sur last Dec. 27. He said they have already extracted statements from the witnesses, including the victim’s son and the doctor who attended to the victim.

“Pare-pareho sila ng statements. Sinabi daw nu’ng biktima nu’ng nasa ospital siya na tinamaan siya ng bala from the rifle of Mayor Ramirez nung bumaril siya ng isang stray cat at si Abao ang tinamaan,” Rafael said.

Although the DILG findings confirmed the shooting but said there was no dying declaration from the victim to speak off because Abao was not on the verge of death when he was operated on.

It was only after operation that he succumbed to cardiac arrest.

Rafael said they will not comment on the DILG findings saying that they have already filed a case before the Office of the Ombudsman Visayas against Ramirez.

According to Rafael, they will leave the matter for the Ombudsman investigators to evaluate.

Abao’s son, Edelito, said that his father told him while waiting for his surgery that he was accidentally shot by the mayor.

Ramirez denied shooting the victim claiming that the allegation was politically motivated. He said Edelito was mad at him because he included his name in the watch list of suspected drug personalities in Medellin.

Ramirez also accused two CIDG operatives of extortion. In an ABS-CBN TV Patrol Central Visayas report, Ramirez said he will file criminal and administrative complaints for extortion against Police Officer 3 Arnold Bocayong and Angelito Yaun.

“A money making scheme whereby ako ang gi-pinpoint, then nasakyan dayon ug politika. Originally, mura bitaw ug extortion tong ilang tuyo,” Ramirez said.

Bocayong dismissed the accusation saying there was no legal basis. He said it was only meant to divert the issue. –  (FREEMAN)