Police say no intimidation of Inayawan residents

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 clarified that there was no intimidation of the residents of Barangay Inayawan in Cebu City following the ongoing search for the suspects in the killing of Police Corporal Ryan Languido Baculi.

The police claim is contrary to what came out on social media that people are afraid of the police and said they voluntarily vacate their homes due to fear of having been caught in between the manhunt operation.

According to the spokesperson of PRO-7, Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, the residents were afraid of the two suspects who allegedly entered the houses and brandished weapons while asking for food the reason why they are at the gym during night time.

“Naa tay series of operation diha sa Inayawan, whenever we get reasonbale suspicision, probable cause nga ang atong mga suspects naa sa usa ka balay, naa sa usa ka lugar, adtuon na sa atong kapulisan pero dili para manghadlok sa atong mga residente, ginasunod nato ang proseso sa hot pursuit operations,” said Pelare.

In an interview with Inayawan Barangay Captain Kirk Bryan Repollo on GMA Regional TV, he confirmed that there are residents of the area who relocated to the gym during the night due to fear.

“Because of the operation, naa mga tawo nga niduol sa barangay to seek shelter, so mao na naa tay mga constituents nga naa nganha nangatug sa sports complex kada gabie gyud. Kasagaran moingon sila nga na trauma sila, sa nahitabo ba. Ang uban, maglisod silag tug sa gabie, so mao ng naa sila sa sports complex,” said Repollo.

The barangay captain also said that the police did nothing wrong in their operation and that the law enforcement officers showed courtesy to the residents.

“So far naay moabot nga report nato nangatahuran, courteous naman atong kapulisan mosulod sa balay,” said Repollo.

Repollo once again expressed support to the police in the effort to arrest the suspects and solve the case.

Regarding the barangay tanods who were allegedly involved in the incident, he said they are not yet reporting for duty but if their presence is needed, the barangay is ready to cooperate.

“As much as possible kung unsay ma provide sa barangay, mo support ta nila. Ipa off-duty sa sila..But anytime their presence are needed sa mga pulis..ato rang e-provide nila,” said Repollo. — (FREEMAN)