Caraga residents fear for their lives

BUTUAN CITY – The Federation of Parents Community Associations in Caraga Region have expressed alarm and concern over the rise of unsolved crimes such as robbery-hold-up, fatal stabbing and shooting incidents in Butuan City and in some parts of the Caraga Region.

Rev. Samuel Alcantara, FPCA spokesperson, said they sent a letter to President Arroyo calling for the total revamp in the hierarchy of law enforcement agencies in the region, claiming concerned government agencies seem to be helpless in the fight against rising criminalities in Caraga.

“Law enforcers in the region are behaving like they are too busy in their moonlighting activities. We felt helpless especially poor residents who have no political influence over law enforcers. In effect we are no longer safe from threats of surging criminalities,” Alcantara in an exclusive interview told The STAR. The group in their press statement said too much politicking in the region continues to endanger the lives of many but beneficial only to influential few who control and influence highly politicized law enforcement and government agencies.

The group cited many fatal incidents that already cost lives in some parts of the region, including the death of a Bombo Radyo volunteer reporter on Oct. 31 where said victim was found dead naked at the covered court in Barangay San Vicente, Butuan City.

Bombo Radyo in their daily morning radio program “Bombohanay Big-time” yesterday criticized newly installed Caraga Police regional director Chief Superintendent Jaime Milla for failing to solve the rising criminalities in the region.

Bombo broadcaster Chris Timogan, anchorperson of said program hinted that as of press time the gruesome killing of 25-year-old Bombo volunteer Geraldine Intino Cabardo who was a resident of Purok 13, Barangay San Vicente, Butuan City remained unsolved.

According to police report, Cabardo’s throat was slashed while sustaining seven hacked wounds, five of them in the head and two in the arms. Police said Cabardo was last seen alive on the evening of Oct. 30 with James Mata and Jay Hingco and other friends but allegedly Cabardo left them without a word. When they tried to contact her through her mobile phone, she could no longer be contacted.

The next morning, Cabardo’s body was seen lifeless, lying in her own pool of blood.