Tumulak to face obstruction of justice charge

CEBU, Philippines — Three down, one more to go.

Police are eyeing at filing another charge for obstruction of justice against Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak for supposedly taking some items at the crime scene of the controversial shooting incident in Barangay Tejero last July 30.

This is in addition to the complaints for physical injuries, grave threats, and grave coercion that they already filed against the deputy mayor for police matters on Thursday.

“We are also studying if the case for obstruction of justice could apply for Tumulak because he entered the crime scene. Gipangkuha didto nga mga identification cards, (and) wala gipang-turn over ang didto sa amoa,” Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, director of Police Regional Office-7, told reporters yesterday.

Separately, Tumulak denied the allegations and opted to answer the charges “in the proper forum.”

The crime scene in question was the supposed botched assassination of Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog that allegedly backfired when his driver instead shot one of the two assailants, who turned out to be PO3 Eugene Calumba.

Sinas already explained that it was Calumba and motorcycle driver Michael Banua, a police asset, who were victims and not suspects. They were allegedly in the area to conduct surveillance.

Yesterday, Sinas said that as Tumulak was among those who arrived at the scene first, it was possible he tampered with evidences such as IDs and a wallet.

He maintained that Tumulak was not the appropriate authority to look into the crime scene, let alone touch the items there, but the police.

“He entered there. Whatever his reason is, which is improper, it’s only supposed to be the proper authority. Hindi puwede magkuha ng ebidensya and hindi i-turn over,” Sinas said.

Instead of giving the items to the police, Tumulak allegedly turned them over to Mayor Tomas Osmeña after two policemen supposedly declined to accept the items from him.

“Gihatag sa amo personnel but we can’t accept because of the so-called chain of custody,” Sinas said.

Sinas previously said the crime scene Calumba died had been contaminated after Tumulak and a number of people, including some barangay tanods, mobbed Calumba and his driver.

At a press conference, Tumulak said he did not maul Banua nor tamper with the evidences.

“God knows nga si Michael Banua namakak. Dili sad ko ka-blame sa mga police investigators sa CIDG because they are only relying on the statement of Michael Banua. Ako ning atubangon sa korte sa higayon nga makadawat ko’g kopya sa written complaint,” he said.

Tumulak said Banua is a vital witness to the incident, so he rushed him to Cebu City Medical Center seeing his shirt soaked in blood.

“Og wala pa ko? One hundred one percent mamatay siya didto kay ang mga tawo dili nimo kapugngan ang kalagot sa mga tawo sa palibot,” Tumulak said.

Tumulak hopes that the truth will prevail, as he appealed to Banua to reveal the truth so that the image of the police organization will not be tarnished. He said he has evidence to prove his innocence.

While admitting that he is concerned about his security, Tumulak said he will not stop serving the public “who put me to office.”

“Ako lang gihangyo sa PNP nga we are partners, we are in the government. Magkatawa ang mga criminals, mga drug pushers, mga drug addicts nga nag-unay na ang government,” he said.

Despite the charges leveled at him by the police, Tumulak said he will continue helping the police organization as deputy mayor for police matters and chairman of the council’s committee on peace and order.

Tumulak also asked the people to trust the police and the government as they are doing their best for the security and safety of everyone.

Osmeña, for his part, said he will support Tumulak.

“Many Cebuanos know how hard Dave works. I stand by him all the way,” the mayor said. — /JMD (FREEMAN)