Kin, supporters of Imok continue seeking justice

CEBU, Philippines — Families, allies, and supporters have continued to seek justice over the ambush-slay of Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta as they commemorated his first death anniversary yesterday.

The commemoration started with a Holy Rosary in Tayud, Liloan where Rupinta was ambushed inside his car together with his common-law-wife, Jocelyn Mendoza, who was unharmed during the incident on November 23, 2017.

The families and some supporters then went to Queen City Memorial Garden for a Holy Mass and lighting of candles and offering of flowers at Rupinta’s tomb.

At Barangay Sports Complex, an exhibit of photographs of the accomplishments and projects of Rupinta was presented to honor his contributions to the growth of the barangay.

“Ang gipangayo namo is madakpan kon kinsa gyuy mastermind sa pagpatay ni Kap. Nalipay gihapon mi kay nagdagan gihapon ang kaso. Sunod tuig pa ang sunod nga hearing pero optimistic ra nga makab-ot ang justice para sa kamatayon ni papa,” Acting Barangay Captain Efe Rupinta told reporters.

Efe assumed as village chief in July after Barangay Captain Mark Rizaldy Miral and barangay Councilors Antonieto Flores, Ryan Jay Rosas, Alio Tamundo, Domingo Ando, Maria Buanghug, and Wilbert Flores were suspended. The suspension stemmed from the alleged non-cooperation of the barangay officials of Ermita during the anti-drug operation of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 in 2016.

Efe said the organization of the vendors, release of pre-patent lots, and construction of school buildings are among the “greatest contributions” of her father.

 “Amo gihapong gipadayon ang pakiglambigit sa market ug sa mga vendors. Kon dunay problema, andam motabang ang barangay,” she said.

Efe said the conflict between the barangay and City Hall on the collection of P10 from sidewalk vendors was already resolved.

She said the average daily collection of the barangay amounting to P19,000 under the economic enterprise department is the barangay’s source of fund for the salaries of at least 200 barangay workers, including garbage loaders.

Without the daily collection of P10 from the vendors, the barangay cannot finance its operations, said Efe.

Moreover, Efe said the families and supporters of Kap Imok will continue seeking justice until the real mastermind will be revealed.

Early June this year, the prosecutor’s office has dropped the charges filed by the police against Winefredo Miro over the death of Kap Imok for lack of probable cause.

Miro, former Cebu City market administrator, was the accused mastermind of the ambush.

Mendoza, in her affidavit, alleged that Miro and others "might have orchestrated the assassination of Rupinta taking into consideration the long-standing feud between Miro and Rupinta for the control and dominance of the vendors association and other sources of income in Carbon Public Market in Barangay Ermita." — KBQ (FREEMAN)