Police launch manhunt vs. Fair Bank security guard

CEBU, Philippines - Police are now on a region-wide manhunt operation against the security guard who gunned down three persons and carted away P80,000 from the Fair Bank where he was assigned in Barangay Pajo, Daanbantayan town Tuesday.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac, said they are now coordinating with the other police offices to track down security guard Berly Tudtud, 28, of Barangay Dakit, Bogo City.

Gillamac said Tudtud was no longer in Cebu based on information they received.

“Possible naa ni siya sa iyang mga kabanay but we are tracking him,” Gillamac said.

He added that motive of the crime was personal grudge and Tudtud just took the chance in robbing the bank.

“There were reports nga sige ni siya og ka-late sa trabaho unya ang tig- sumbong kuno sa agency kining iyang kauban (Deserto),” Gillamac said.

Tudtud will be facing charges for robbery with multiple homicide.

Tudtud reportedly used his service 12 gauge shotgun in shooting at his buddy security guard, Dean Deserto, 26, and his live-in partner, Cecilia Torre, 30, both of Barangay Dakit, Barili town, and Jenelyn Megabon, 26, accounting clerk of the Fair Bank and from Medellin town.

Tudtud and Deserto were both under Ricarte Security Agency located in Barangay East Poblacion, Naga City. They were buddies as nightshift security guards of the bank.

All victims succumbed to a gunshot wound in the head. They were no longer taken to the hospital as the cadavers were discovered almost 7:00 in the morning the following day by incoming security guard Bernardo Veraque.

PO3 Alfredo Mandal, investigator, said that Tudtud reportedly asked to borrow P1,000 from Deserto for personal reason in which Deserto refused for he knew that Tudtud had a pending termination order effective December 31.

The order was issued after the bank’s head complained of the high cost of  telephone bill of  the bank.

Further investigation revealed that Tudtud was reportedly under the influence of liquor when he went to the bank that night prior to the incident.

Recovered from the scene were two empty shells of a shotgun, a .38 revolver (service firearm) of Deserto, two cellular phones, a sling bag, and a wallet with identification cards.

The Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS) will be calling the security agency to check some necessary records of Tudtud as part of the investigation.

Supt. Marvin Sanchez, FESSAGS chief, said they have to run the records if Tudtud had undergone a neurologic examination before he was issued a license if he has one.

FESSAGS will also check the possible violations of the security agency and to file appropriate charges or suspend the operation of the same.— GMR (FREEMAN)