P100K reward for arrest of cop killer proposed

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City council during its regular session yesterday morning approved a resolution requesting Mayor Socrates Fernandez to set aside a P100,000 bounty for anyone who can give information that will lead to the arrest of the gunman of PO1 William Mangubat Jr.

Mangubat was killed while responding to a robbery alarm in sitio Mananga 2, barangay Tabunok, Talisay City last Friday.

The police in Talisay City are already looking for suspects brothers Jundee and Lito Oros, residents of sitio Mananga 2, barangay Tabunok, and Noel Simbajon alias Noel Pacaña of sitio Villa Bulsita, barangay Bulacao, Cebu City.

According to witnesses, it was only Jundee, and Pacaña, the one who was armed with a .45 caliber pistol, who robbed a south-bound multicab in barangay Bulacao last Friday.

Lito allegedly came to his brother's rescue when he reportedly saw him being chased by Mangubat in the interior of Mananga 2.

The alleged robbers after divesting the multicab passengers of their belongings got off in sitio Mananga 2 and ran towards the densely-populated portion of the area where Lito saw them.

Allegedly, the three hid somewhere and waited for Mangubat and shot him three times hitting him in the head and in the shoulder.

The policeman died instantly.

Senior Supt. Louie Oppus, officer-in-charge of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, has already ordered the Talisay City police to get the suspects dead or alive.

The resolution, which was authored by minority Councilor Romeo Villarante, was approved by the council, and is expected to be forwarded to Fernandez within this week.

Meanwhile, the council yesterday also approved a resolution granting P50,000 financial assistance to the family of Mangubat. The resolution was authored by Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, who is chairman on council committee on Peace and Order.

And as this develops, Senior Inspector Errol Francis Deveyra, acting Talisay City Police Station chief, said the criminal charges against the three men are already being prepared. — THE FREEMAN