Shooting of doctor: ‘Case closed’ but cops want to know motive

CEBU, Philippines - If only to determine the motive behind the killing, the police will continue to investigate the shooting of a doctor at the Sacred Heart Center even if the case is already considered closed.

"Closed in a sense that the perpetrator is identified, as well as the victim," said city police intelligence branch chief Romeo Santander.

He admitted, though, that determining the motive would be an uphill climb since the suspect is also dead.

Dr. Cris Cecil Abbu was shot point blank at the hospital and the gunman in a wheelchair, Wilfredo Sabonsolin, killed himself afterwards.

Dr. Benjamin Lara, medico-legal-officer at the PNP Regional Crime Laboratory said the family of the suspect has signed a waiver to an autopsy.

Lara said it was observed that Sabonsolin had a gunshot wound to his head. The bullet entered the left temporal region and exited at the right temporal region.

He said the doctor's body could no longer be examined since it was subjected to a surgery right after the incident and the attending physicians have already issued a death certificate.

Still, he noted a wound on Abbu's right hand, which could have been caused by a gunshot.

The bullet entered the left chest and stayed inside the surgeon's body.

He was rushed to the emergency room at the hospital but was declared dead an hour after the incident.

In an official statement, Southwestern University, the school that runs the hospital, said it will cooperate with authorities while continuing to provide health care to its clients.

"It (SWU) assures the public that it is closely monitoring and providing assistance to the investigation being conducted by appropriate police authorities for the immediate disposition of the matter pertaining to the case of Dr. Abbu," the statement reads.

The Firearms Explosives Security Service Agency and Guards Supervisory Section (FESSAGS) in Central Visayas is also investigating possible lapses on the part of security personnel assigned at the Sacred Heart Hospital.

"Basically naa gyud ni silay lapses because nakalusot ang firearm…he is supposed to protect lives, guard property within sa iyang post," said Supt. Marvin Sanchez, FESSAGS chief.

Sanchez said that if proven guilty, the security guards may be suspended for up to 30 days and may be fined at least P100 and up to P500.

He said he is yet to receive the investigation report from the Royal Paratroopers Security Agency. The agency is supposed to submit the report within 24 hours, he said.

Sanchez said the caliber .380 pistol used by the suspect is registered but the suspect does not have a permit to carry the gun outside his residence.

Lawyer Inocencio dela Cerna Jr., legal counsel of Southwestern University, said the school and the Sacred Heart Hospital management have agreed to conduct a technical review of the school and the hospital's security.

He raised the possible liability of the patient's aide, Renel Tanilon, 29, arguing that it is unlikely that he would not know Sabonsolin was carrying a firearm when he went to the hospital.

Senior Supt. Conrad Capa, deputy regional director for operations, himself said it is impossible that Tanilon knew Sabonsolin was bringing a firearm.

A source from the Cebu City Medical Center told The FREEMAN that Sabonsolin was confined at CCMC's Female Surgical Ward and underwent a surgery for his spinal column.

A day after the operation, Sabonsolin reportedly managed to take a few steps but on the second day, he reportedly could no longer walk.

He was advised by the doctor not to walk because it might affect him but he never listened to the advice.

The nurse who refused to be named said Sabonsolin was a bit impatient and would not want the nurse to attend to his needs.

A doctor who also requested anonymity said the first operation was not conducted by Dr. Abbu. The doctor only handled the surgery last June.

Another nurse said Dr. Abbu was "one of a kind" because he would still pursue the operation even if the patient could not afford to pay his professional fee.

She added that Dr. Abbu is a loss to CCMC and to his patients.

Now that CCMC lost Dr. Abbu it is not yet clear who would take over his patients to whom CCMC would refer his current patients.

The hospital staff and civilians who witnessed the heinous crime inside the Physical Therapy outpatient clinic of the hospital will be made to undergo stress debriefing session as a way of "psychological first-aid."

The hospital management will give "financial gratuity" to the family of the slain doctor "in recognition of his invaluable service to Sacred Heart Hospital and SWU."

Abbu was a graduate of SWU Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine.

He was also one of the 11 pioneering members of Asklepian Circle, the organized society of medical students in MHAM, founded in 1984.

Board Member Sun Shimura said he was saddened by the death of Abbu who happened to be his neighbor and friend.

He described Abbu as a kindhearted medical practitioner who even gave services for free.

"Kung naay mga body pain akong mama, moadto ra to siya sa balay for free. Di lang ako ang makaingon ana, hasta sa uban, nakita gyod iyang kamaayo," he said.

Shimura's wife Karrie, a nurse, said she could not believe what happened to the doctor. She once worked with Abbu at the Sacred Heart Hospital.

"Loving kaayo siya. Siya man gane magpakaon sa kauban. Naay ubang patients nga di gyod siya magpabayad," she said.

Shimura said he wants to hasten the approval of his proposed ordinance that requires hospitals and health institutions to install closed-circuit television cameras to monitor the people going in and out of the facilities.

He further urged hospitals to strengthen their current security system.

"Kining ubang hospitals, ilang pagkapkap bitaw is plain ra kaayo," he said.

Loy Anthony Madrigal, Capitol's chief of Security, also affirmed Shimura's idea of mounting CCTVs in health facilities.

He said security in the district and province-run hospitals will be tightened.

"Ang atong members sa Civil Security Unit are well-trained to act accordingly sa mga incidence. We are doing the best that we can sa security system," he added.

Abbu's remains lie at St. Peter memorial chapel at Imus Avenue, Cebu City.

A mass was last night sponsored by his brothers from the Asklepian Circle inside the chapel. -/JMO (FREEMAN)