By DONALD BORJA SEVILLA
The series of killings and robbery incidents in the province on top of the resurgence
of illegal drug proliferation have caused alarm to Boholanos, and two church leaders
have expressed disgust and worry over the grim situation.
Latest in the list of crime victims was a public school supervisor in Inabanga town
who was ambushed and gunned down in broad daylight.
A day before that incident, a daring robbery in Ubay town resulted in the killing of the
gasoline station’s security guard and injury to another guard.
In the preceding weeks leading to the murder in Inabanga, particularly in the town of
Ubay, the province saw alarming spate of killings and prohibited drug-related arrests
elsewhere in Bohol.
As this develops, two influential leaders of the Catholic church in the province have
issued a joint statement condemning the series of killings and calling local authorities
to act on the alarming trend of crimes.
Bishop Patrick Daniel Parcon of Talibon and Bishop Alberto Uy of Tagbilaran, in a
joint statement, said these incidents are unacceptable and must be condemned.
“We … call on the faithful … to be united in condemning this shameful sin and crime
of killing a person,” read part of the statement.
At least three cases of killings were reported in Ubay in the past two weeks this
month alone.
On April 3, a retired cop was shot dead in the village of Calanggaman. On April 14, a
60-year-old man was gunned down in the village of Los Angeles in the same town.
In the town’s San Pascual village, a gasoline station security guard was shot dead in
a robbery on April 17. Three suspects have already been arrested by local police.
Investigation is also ongoing over the killing of a cockpit referee in Tipolo village by
still unidentified assailants on March 19.
The bishops enjoined the people to pray for an end to the killings and for peace to
reign in their communities.
GASOLINE STATION HEIST
Three suspects have been arrested in connection with a robbery that took place in
Barangay San Pascual, Ubay. The suspects reportedly seized P390,000 worth of
gasoline station sale.
The suspects were identified as Florencio Yangson Pelonia, 54, Rogelio Tama Edisa
Jr., 27, and Jerry Ligtas Ofamin, 37. They were arrested on Wednesday (April 19)
around 5:13pm in Barangay Guinacot, Guildulman, Bohol.
According to a spot report sent by the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), Pelonia
is a security guard and resident of Purok 3, Lumbog, Guindulman. Edisa Jr. is a
resident of Tampilisan, Zamboanga Del Norte and currently living in Barangay
Cabulihan Zamora, Bilar, Bohol. Ofamin is single with a live-in partner and resident
of Brgy. Bato, Guindulman.
The police recovered several items from the suspects including two pistols with steel
magazines loaded with live bullets, cash money worth P25,743 and three
motorcycles.
MERCILESS KILLING
The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Ubay launched a manhunt for the suspects
involved in the robbery at a gas station which resulted in the death of one security
guard and injury to another.
The victims were identified as Marlowie Jayoma Amparado, 29, and Pastor Pakling
Tronueva Jr., 29. Amparado was killed during the robbery while Tronueva sustained
injuries.
According to a spot report from the PNP Ubay, they received a call from Barangay
Captain Renato Alacida about the incident.
The report stated that two men on a Raider 150 motorcycle arrived at the Sailor Oil
Gasoline Station while Amparado was watching over the collector counting sales at
the cashier booth.
The backrider of the motorcycle approached Amparado while the driver approached
Tronueva.
Tronueva noticed that the driver was armed with an unknown caliber weapon and
attempted to flee but was shot in the hand.
Amparado was shot by an unknown weapon and his sling bag containing his issued
weapon and a black pouch bag containing more or less P300,000 were taken.
The suspects fled on their motorcycle towards Barangay Gabi, Ubay, Bohol.
The victims were rushed to Tambalan but Amparado was pronounced dead on
arrival due to critical injuries.
INABANGA
Land dispute may have been the motive behind the recent ambush and killing of a
Department of Education (DepEd) district supervisor in Inabanga, Bohol, according
to local police.
DepEd Supervisor Noel Torregosa Duavis, 52, was shot three times by suspects
riding a dirty white Suzuki Smash motorcycle last Thursday.
The suspects’ faces were completely covered and they fled towards the mountain
side of Buenavista, which connects to the town of Danao.
Duavis was rushed to a hospital in Inabanga but was declared dead on arrival.
Police recovered one empty shell from a 9mm weapon at the crime scene.
PCMS Jose Mitchel Nioda of Inabanga PNP told reporters that Duaves was a good
person with no known enemies.
Investigators are still working to identify the suspects and are calling for witnesses to
come forward and cooperate with them.
The incident has shocked the local community and authorities are determined to
bring those responsible to justice.
The investigation is ongoing.
Inabanga Mayor Jono Jumamoy expressed his deepest condolences to the
bereaved family of PSDS North District Noel Duavis. In a statement, Mayor
Jumamoy said that he had just met with the North District Teachers the day before.
Mayor Jumamoy thanked Duavis for his service to the people of Inabanga, especially
for his support of education and the entire DepEd. He said that Duavis’ concern and
love for the people of Inabanga would never be forgotten.
Mayor Jumamoy ended his statement by wishing Duavis a peaceful journey towards
the throne of the Almighty and praying that the light that never fades would guide
him.
IN TRINIDAD
Two senior citizens were found dead in the trees near Trinidad, Bohol. The
deceased were identified as Alfredo Timbang, 70, and his brother-in-law, Gregorio
Auxtero, 74. Both were residents of Talibon.
Timbang’s body was found at 9:13 am on Good Friday, April 7, while Auxtero’s body
was found at around 10:40 a.m. on Easter Sunday, April 9. Both were found in a lush
area of Purok 5, Barangay San Vicente in the town of Trinidad.
DEAD FLOATING
A fisherman in Brgy. Pangpang, Ubay, Bohol made a shocking discovery when he
found a dead body floating aboard a boat in the sea. The fisherman initially did not
believe that there was a dead body in the boat.
The identity of the victim is still being determined and authorities are investigating the
cause of death. Further details will be provided as the investigation continues.
IN JAGNA
A man was arrested during a drug buy-bust operation by the Jagna PNP police. The
suspect was identified as Crisello Samson y Trinquite, 25 years old, single and a
resident of Purok 5, Brgy. Tejero, Jagna, Bohol.
According to the spot report, personnel from the DET of the Jagna Police Station led
by Police Major Joseph Lopena conducted a drug buy-bust operation with PDEA.
The operation resulted in the arrest of the aforementioned suspect.
The items seized and recovered from their possession and control include one small
heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance
believed to be shabu (subject of the sale), one small heat-sealed transparent plastic
sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu (possession),
one five hundred peso bill with serial no. Z218369 with a star mark on Corazon
Aquino’s forehead (buy-bust money), and one unit of Vivo touchscreen cellular
phone.
The inventory and marking of evidence photos were taken at the scene of the arrest
witnessed by Alejandro L. Raña Sr.– Brgy Chairman of Tejero, Jagna, Bohol;
Sofronio C. Madera – Brgy. Councilor of Tejero, Jagna; and Bernardo Condor –
media representative.
It is estimated that the total weight of shabu is 0.50 grams with a standard drug price
of P3,400. The suspect is now detained at the Jagna Police Station Custodial facility
for proper disposition.
IN TAGBILARAN
A drug suspect from the town of Buenavista was arrested by operatives of the City
Drug Enforcement Team of the City PNP during a joint operation with the 702nd
Mobile Force Battalion Company and the Central 301st Special Mission PAF in a
buy-bust operation at past 11pm on April 18 along M. Capayas Road in Brgy. Bool,
Tagbilaran City.
The police identified the arrested suspect as Norven Melegrito, 31 years old and a
resident of Purok 1, Brgy. Anonang in the town of Buenavista. Various packs of
suspected shabu weighing approximately 40 grams with a market value of
272, 000.00 pesos were recovered from his possession. (with reports from CBCP)