Enforcer’s killers still unknown

CEBU, Philippines - The Lapu-Lapu City police have yet to identify the assailants who killed traffic enforcer Raquel Bensi of the City Traffic Management Systems last Friday night in Barangay Basak.

Past 7 p.m. that day, Bensi was controlling traffic in Sitio Tamiya in the said barangay, when two men on a motorcycle drove up behind him and shot him twice in the body.

Police Officer 3 Lydo Pinos of the Homicide Section said yesterday that they checked footage from security cameras of commercial establishments in the area close to the crime scene. However, the footage has yet to be enhanced.

He said the motive of the incident appears to be work-related, since the victim was known to be tough in apprehending colorum or unregistered public utility vehicles.

Several months ago there was also an attempt on Bensi's life, but the assailant's gun misfired.

In line with the incident, the Lapu-Lapu City government, through its Public Information Office, assured the public that it is doing its best to solve the killing.

The city's PIO also denied CTMS' statement that there will be no more enforcer posted in the area as there is already a substitute traffic enforcer assigned there.

"They are not neglecting their duties especially in that area," the PIO said.

Bensi is the second traffic enforcer shot in the campaign against colorum vehicles in the area. Last year it was CTMS Chief Frank Brazil who was shot outside his office.

Brazil survived, but had to be replaced by Mario Napule. Napule has yet to comment on this latest incident. (FREEMAN)