CEBU, Philippines — Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Debold Sinas said Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde is satisfied with their investigation into the ambush of San Fernando, Cebu Mayor Lakambini “Neneth” Reluya and her companions.
"I discussed with the chief of PNP (Philippine National Police) and he was satisfied, ang instructions niya is to push through and gukdon gyud tong duha nga na identify," said Sinas.
Sinas also said the two-week ultimatum Albayalde has given to the local police to solve the crime has been revoked.
“The ultimatum is not extended, it's revoked. Wala na, okay na to," he said.
It can be recalled that the day after the ambush of San Fernando Mayor Lakambini Reluya along with her husband Ricardo 'Nonoy' Reluya and four staffs on January 22 in barangay Linao, Talisay City, Albayalde challenged the investigators to solve the case within just two weeks or else he will relieve all PRO-7 officials.
Though the mastermind remains unknown, investigators have identified the two gunmen: Jerome Labitad and his uncle Felix Abacajan Jr., both are allegedly hitmen of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones.
Labitad and Abacajan are reportedly notorious drug personalities and gun-for-hire men.
Last January 29, authorities figured in a shootout with Labitad and Abajacan in Campo 4, Talisay City.
The mayor, along with two others, Jefer Tolentin and Giovanni Perez, survived the ambush.
Her husband, Ricardo, along with driver Alan Bayot and municipal staff Ricky Monterona died in the ambush.
Sinas said the case, however, is not yet closed.
"Karun ang case is partially solved, but not closed. We are following it up. We have already checked, we have pending follow-up operations and hopefully we could arrest and neutralized them to shed lights on their direct involvement on Reluya's case," he said.
Sinas also announced a mobile number the public can contact to report information to the police to fast-track the solution of the case.
The phone, he said, will be monitored by the chief of police in San Fernando Municipality Police Station.
"This number (0917-720-9843) will be established in San Fernando MPS as a way of communicating sa posibleng magbigay ng information for the arrest of the suspect and additional information on how to further fast-track the solution and identification of other suspect," Sinas explained.
Meanwhile, Sinas also advised the public not to spread fake drug personality lists on social media.
This came after a barangay official in San Fernando, who was reported to be Reluya's supporter, was allegedly pointed to have made the list.
"Katong listahan himo-himo lang to. You know because of what happened to Mayor Reluya, naging issue ang drugs sa San Fernando. Kasi kabalo sila na for the longest time, that is the operations base of the Sabalones drug group," Sinas said.
He added that if the public would come across such posts, they can just read it and then disregard it. — Imarie Jane D. Madarieta, USJ-R Intern, GAN, (FREEMAN)