Carcar mayor won't defend own personnel

CEBU, Philippines - Carcar City Mayor Nice Apura assures he will not meddle with the police investigation on the shooting incidents involving two personnel from the Carcar Anti-Criminality Task Force (CACTAF).

In an interview, Apura said that his more or less 19 personnel are told not to get drunk and to avoid bringing firearms and knives while on duty. The men are also told that they better resign if they violate rules, he said.

“Dili na mahitabo nga mulaban ko nila, kahibalo sila unsa ilang obligasyon, I will leave it to the policemen,” Apura said.

He was unaware that CACTAF chief Enrico Racoma and member Felix Pantilgan were armed, which is a violation of their rules.

Last Monday afternoon, Racoma shot dead Herbey Paninsor, 38, a dispatcher near the rotunda in barangay Poblacion I.

Racoma, who shot Paninsor in the forehead, was arrested in an establishment in sitio Awayan, barangay Poblacion III. Authorities have yet to determine the motive for the killing even as a murder case was already filed.

In a separate incident yesterday dawn, a civilian is in critical condition after he was shot repeatedly by another member of the task force.

Edilberto “Eddie” Fernandez, 41, a resident of sitio Awayan, barangay Poblacion III was allegedly shot by Felix “Likboy” Pantilag, a resident of sitio Tal-ot, barangay Valencia.

Fernandez sustained gunshot wounds in the back portion of his body, neck and right cheek. He was rushed to the Carcar District Hospital but later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

The suspect eluded arrest.

Fernandez was about to disembark from his motorcycle with a certain Diosdado Jakosalem when Pantilag approached and confronted them.

The two had a heated argument and Pantilag pulled an unknown caliber of firearm, shot the victim several times and fled.

Apura was dismayed upon learning of the two incidents.

The CACTAF was created last October 2010 with more or less 23 members.

Apura said the CACTAF helps reinforce the police force in Carcar.

“Ni-menos ra ba ang tulis ug kawat sukad naa ang task force pero tungod lagi aning insidente ron kinahanglan na nga i-reorganize,” he said.

The mayor said the remaining members will have trainings and seminars to improve the task force. — (FREEMAN)