Suspects in killing of trader identified

CEBU, Philippines - Authorities have identified the police officer and his alleged cohort who are linked to the death of Balamban-based businessman Jerome Bendebel last January 1.

Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, chief of the Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, said he has directed the chief of the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, Sr. Supt. Artmando Radoc, to gather more evidence to support a case against the suspects.

Constantino said SPO2 Jonas Pacquibot who was assigned at the Regional Training School 7 has stopped reporting for duty last week and has stopped attending his classes. Pacquibot is reportedly enrolled in school.

“Last week when I went to Manila, SPO2 Jonas Pacquibot is no longer reporting sa Regional Training School 7. He is no longer attending his classes; maybe it’s related to the Balamban case,” Constantino said.

The alleged cohort, identified as Edwin Jakosalem, has also gone off the radar.

“Edwin Jakosalem can no longer be located, based doon sa accounts ng administrator ng rehabilitation center ang pagkakilala ni Jakosalem ay pulis,” Constantino said.

He urged Pacquibot to surrender if he wants to clear his name.

“Kung ako sa kanya, if he really wants to clear his name, hindi siya dapat magtago (If I were him, if he really wants to clear his name, he should not hide),” he said.

Constantino said Pacquibot and Jakosalem’s names surfaced during the investigation. They wanted to get their statements but they could no longer be located.

He said the charges against the two will all depend on the amount of evidence and statement of witnesses.

“Once we file the cases against them, if warrants of arrest will be issued, we will find them,” Constantino said.

Constantino the Balamban incident should serve as a lesson for police officers not to engage in moonlighting activities.

“Yung incident na ito should serve a lesson to policemen. Wala naman maililihim eh (This incident should serve as a lesson to policemen. Nothing can be kept secret),” he said.

He said policemen are not for sale and are expected to provide service without a fee.

“Our services should not be for a fee. If there are police officers doing this, they should stop,” Constantino said.

Bendebel was picked up by at least two people and was brought to a rehabilitation center in Cebu City but he died at the Perpetual Soccour Hospital past 3:00 a.m. on January 1 owing to bruises all over his body.  (FREEMAN)