Family confronts suspect in Tocmo’s killing

CEBU, Philippines — The family of Rhea Mae Tocmo couldn't hold back their emotions when they personally confronted Simeon Gabutero, the suspect in the girl’s murder in Labangon Police Station 10 yesterday noon.

Rhea Mae's father, Romeo, and her two sisters, Roche Tocmo and Grace Tocmo Alad-ad, arrived in Cebu and went to the police station.

“Nganong gipatay nimo among igsuon? Unsay katungod nimo? Patyon ka sa konsensya, dili ka patulgon sa akong manghud hantud dili ka mamatay sa konsensya, labaw pa sa hayop ang imong gibuhat sa akong manghod, brutal kaayo, demonyo kang daku,” said Roche and Grace when they confronted Simeon.

They asked Gabutero how serious was their sister’s sin that prompted him to kill her, adding they have a lot of plans for their sister.

“Tubaga mi, tubaga mi, unsa kadako ang iyang sala, wala kay katungod, naa kay anak, grabe, naa kay anak huna-hunaa makadaghan, dili ka Ginoo Simeon, demonyo ka, demonyo ka,” said one sister of Rhea Mae.

Due to their intense anger, they wanted Gabutero to come closer as they wanted him to feel the pain. But he did not come.

“Hasulon ka niya hantod sa hantod, timan-i na, dili ka niya patulgon anang imong gibuhat sa iyaha, hayop ka, hayop ka Simeon, sakit kay imong gibuhat sa amoa, dili namo madawat nganong giingon ana nimo among manghod,” said Tocmo’s sisters.

Gabutero apologized to the siblings for what he did, but the victim's family said they could not forgive him as Rhea Mae’s life could no longer be back.

“Sayon ra kaayo litokon sa imoha ang pasaylo, wala ka kabalo sa among gibati,” said Tocmo sisters.

They asked Gabutero who was with him when he committed the crime but Rhea Mae's father, Romeo, said he is a liar.

“Makita man pud sa nawong sa babakon ng tawhana, utro-utro estorya bakaon kay’ng dako murag dili laki,” said Romeo.

Gabutero, when interviewed by reporters, said he did not approach the family because the victim's family was very angry.

“Og dili mapasaylo sa kining pagka sentensiya pwede nako isugal akong kinabuhi para mapasaylo ko nila, andam ko mamatay,” said Gabutero.

Before they faced each other, Police Major Angelito Valleser, chief of Labangon Police Station 10, showed the family the video footage and evidence that they obtained and pointed to Gabutero as the suspect in the case.

They video footage shows the area where Rhea Mae took a ride in Barangay Looc, Mandaue City passing through Panagdait, Mabolo, Cebu City through Barangay Kamputhaw, then through M. Velez Street towards Gervacio Street then to Banawa where Gabutero lives.

The family was also shown a video footage from Gabutero's exit from their home in sitio Kabulakan, through Paseo Arcenas straight to El Salvador Extension towards Barangay Tisa and inside a small corner towards sitio Mohon 1, Barangay Tisa until he returned back to their home.

The family was also informed of the evidence they obtained such as the results of Gabutero's DNA test which matched with the foreign specimen found on Reah's fingernail, Gabutero's extra-judicial confession, among others.

They still have another witness who will execute an affidavit that Gabutero was drunk that Monday morning.

In order to eliminate the family's suspicion of the carton where Reah Mae's dead body was placed, the police showed a carton of an electric fan carton.

“Atong i-erase ang doubt nga ang gisudlan nga karton dako kaayo, gamay ra ang karton, ang karton, karton lang sa electric fan, katong giingon sa taxi driver nakakita siya og karton nga dako kuno nisakay sa iyang taxi dili to mao, bakak ang iyang gi-estorya,” said Velleser.

The case for murder is expected to be filed this week after the family of the victim was convinced that Gabutero is the suspect.

Another witness will also take an affidavit and the mother and brother of Gabutero will also give their extra-judicial confession.

Rome, the father of Rhea Mae, stands as the complainant and signed the affidavit against Gabutero. — (FREEMAN)