Oberes laid to rest, Digong's help sought

CEBU, Philippines — The remains of Philippine Air Force Staff Sergeant Mark Herbert Oberes were laid to rest yesterday while his family exhorts all avenues, including asking help from President Rodrigo Duterte, to seek justice.

Oberes' wife, Diana, said she had written to Duterte through the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas to ask for help. She said the family wanted to hasten the investigation and the arrest of all the people involved in the murder of her husband.

Oberes was laid to rest at the Sanctuary Garden Memorial Park in Minglanilla yesterday morning.

Oberes was mauled, shot, and burned alive inside his car. His charred remains were found in Carcar City last February 1. Police have arrested his alleged former girlfriend Resamae Cabañog and the latter's boyfriend Joshua Garciano.

A continuing manhunt operation is conducted by the police against four other suspects including Cabañog's mother, Edna, a certain Tommy Isugan, who is said to be a member of the New People's Army, and two others.

Edna and Isugan are believed to have fled to seek refuge with the rebels in Guihulngan, Negros Oriental. Criminal charges for murder and arson have been filed against the suspects. Edna was tagged by her daughter and Garciano as mastermind in the killing of Oberes.

Resamae told police investigators that her mother hired Isugan and two others to maul Oberes. The situation got out of control after the victim fought back resulting in them killing him. In an attempt to conceal the crime, the suspects brought the victim to Carcar City where they burned him alive inside his car before throwing the vehicle into a ravine.

Investigations revealed that money and love triangle could be the motives behind the killing. Resamae and Oberes reportedly had an affair. The family of the victim, however, said Edna owed P50,000 to the victim.

Police Regional Office-7 spokesperson Superintendent Reyman Tolentin said the case is already considered closed following the arrest of the two primary suspects. He asked the family's understanding on the delay in the arrest of the other suspects.

He assured that tracker teams have been deployed to look for the remaining suspects.

"They should understand that wala man ta natulog, the long hands of the law will soon catch up to them. The wheels of justice nagtuyok na jud, with the arrest of the two, it's just a matter of time. We assure nga continuous ang trabaho ug dili na pasagdan," Tolentin said. (FREEMAN)