CPPO defends arrest of suspect in Tuburan ambush

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Senior Superintendent Clifford Gairanod has defended the arrest of a man linked to the ambush in Barangay Mag-antoy, Tuburan town Wednesday afternoon.

This amid claims by Tuburan mayoralty candidate Daphne Lagon that the man, one of her political leaders, is not involved in the killing.  

“Valid police operation yun…hot pursuit. We recovered several firearms, lulusot pa siya…wag mong sabihin tinataniman namin sila ng bala, we are just responding what is happening right now at the same time conduct hot pursuit operation,” he said.

Luduvico Oroquero, 54, former barangay captain of Monte Alegre, Tuburan, was arrested after he was linked to the shooting of Rene Cangmaong, 50, a resident of Barangay Mag-atubang.

Cangmaong, a former member of the New People’s Army, was one of the political leaders of incumbent Mayor Aljun Diamante.

Lagon earlier said that Oroquero was not in Barangay Mag-antoy when the ambush happened. She claims Oroquero was in her house and as proof, she has a video taken from her closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera.

Lagon yesterday showed the CCTV footage showing Oroquero sitting inside their compound at 1:42 p.m.

Cangmaong was reportedly ambushed past 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Lagon’s running mate, former councilor Sesinando Potencioso, said Oroquero was with them during lunch and a meeting in Tinago, Barangay Carmelo until past 1 p.m.

Carmelo is approximately more than 10 kilometers away from Mag-antoy.

Gairanod, however, said it’s Lagon’s version of the story and they must submit their proof.

“Yan ang trabaho ng police eh, gusto nyo matulog kami sa bahay? Bahala na mga politicians mag away-away. Nandito kami to maintain peace and order,” he said, adding they will not side with any politician.

Gairanod said they have already identified the perpetrators of the ambush, but cannot disclose the names yet because they are still conducting a manhunt operation.

He said he also received a call from Diamante that there was a white van following him and they are now checking on it. — (FREEMAN)