Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Re-assess security near jail: Rama
ACTING Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants police to immediately solve the killing of three suspected criminals in Sitio Oprra, Barangay Kalunasan last Monday. He also raised the need to re-assess security in the area.
“I do not want to be a part of a government that cannot solve criminality,” Rama told reporters yesterday.
Only by identifying the suspects can the police disprove suspicions that law enforcers themselves are behind the killing, he said.
Whether the culprits are the victims’ own colleagues or the vigilantes, Rama hopes the suspects will be identified immediately.
He said he heard of suspicions that personnel of law enforcement agencies are responsible for the shooting to death of the suspected swindlers, but he can’t conclude anything from it.
“That suspicion has to be removed. They (law enforcement) are the only ones who can look into that. And the way to remove that is by bringing the suspects out. Crime
has been committed and somebody has to assume responsibility for it,” said Rama.
Both accused of swindling, Medase Castro, 41, and Jose Mecia P. Magno, 43, had just come out of the Cebu City jail in Kalunasan when unidentified gunmen peppered their van with bullets, killing them instantly.
Another companion, Evelyn Magno, was also killed while the driver, Henry Comandao, was critically wounded and is now confined in a private hospital in the city.
Rama, also chairman of the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC), said the area where the incident happened should be checked to find out if security measures are lacking, considering its proximity to the city jail.
While he is happy with the performance of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and their ratings in national competitions, Rama said he wished that its officials can also stop vigilante-style killings here.
He pointed out that summary executions could create an impression that suspected criminals are safer inside the jail, and would be better off if they did not go home while they are out on bail.
Rama said the police should be able to give the assurance that those who are on bail will be able to reach home safely, and remain safe while they are tried in court.
“Yes, we are mad at criminals, we are mad at swindlers. But no matter what, they are still human beings,” he said.
To prevent the killing of other suspected criminals who are out on bail, Rama suggested that they should be escorted from the time they leave the jail premises up to the time they reach their houses.
When asked who he thinks should perform the task, Rama said they can decide on it later on. (EPB)
