Feliciano denies hand in Mayor Reluya ambush

CEBU, Philippines — San Fernando mayoralty candidate Ruben Feliciano yesterday appeared at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) to clear his name and deny involvement in the ambush of Mayor Lakambini Reluya.

“I strongly deny any involvement of that shooting incident.  My conscience is clear, nothing to be afraid.  Sila sila ray nag away ana. If I’m destined to be there, 10 or 20 days hurot na nang druga, kay kanang druga mao na nagkagulo didto. I want to clear my name because according to my political rivals that it is politically motivated. Nothing political,” he stressed.

He, however, said he does not have any idea what specifically was the motive in the ambush.

Feliciano said he hopes to have a peaceful, clean and orderly election in San Fernando.

He also challenged the Reluyas to sign a covenant for this year’s election.

Feliciano claimed that he has disagreement with the Reluyas over his project, but he chose to bring the matter to the court.

“I filed several cases against the Reluyas for graft and corrupt practices. The people convinced me to run for mayor,” he stated.

Lakambini, who is seeking reelection, is crying for sympathy votes, Feliciano said.

“She is trying to win the hearts of the people in San Fernando. Mayor Reluya, please don’t blame me, I have nothing to do with the incident.  Kaya maayo pa, withdraw, ako na ang mayor.  It is my desire, I will fix San Fernando, to restore discipline, law and order and destroy the apparatus of illegal drugs. Kill them all, para mahuman na, para magiging peaceful na,” he stressed.

PRO-7

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas said they now have four prime suspects in the ambush of the Reluyas.

He clarified that Feliciano and blogger Niel Enriquez, whose name came out in their investigation, were just invited to shed light on the incident.

“We have also secured yung records nya (Feliciano) sa Firearms and Explosives Office, and accordingly naa siyay four firearms. I already requested Provincial Director to invite him, and kung pwede i-challenge to surrender iyahang firearms kasi kandidato man pud siya so we have ballistic,” he said.

Allegedly, Enriquez’s name came out because she criticized the Reluyas. Also, he is allegedly a supporter of a candidate.

Enriquez declined interview requests from the media.

Sinas said two of the four prime suspects (three who alighted from the vehicle and one is the driver) were already identified by name and faces.

They were in fact subjected to a follow-up operation but during the raid, they were not in their safe houses but the police were able to recover firearms.

Sinas said he cannot divulge the names of the two yet because they have to inform first the Reluyas before going to the public.

“We are now waiting for the mayor, and we will present sa iyaha tong findings namo and the operations that we have conducted. After namo ma-present sa iyaha, if there are already satisfied saka nako i-present sa media, to the public,” he said.

Sinas added they have no idea yet who is the mastermind, unless the four prime suspects, if arrested, will divulged to them. They are still following politics and gun-for-hires as leads in their investigation.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Manuel Abrugena clarified that Feliciano and Enriquez were not persons of interest. They were merely invited to shed light.

He, however, said he cannot divulge what transpired in his talk with Feliciano and Enriquez because the two asked for confidentiality.

Reluya, her husband, Panadtaran Barangay Chairman Ricardo “Nonoy,” the town’s investment and promotions officer Ricky Monterona, and driver Allan Bayot were killed in the ambush while on board a white Super Grandia van enroute to Cebu City from San Fernando town.

The mayor and two others survived the attack. — Marjory D. Enriquez (FREEMAN)