Threats remain vs. Rafael kin even if 3 of 6 ambush suspects nabbed
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BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 31) — While three of the six alleged killers of Paracelis town Mayor Cesar Rafael are now in police custody, his daughter remains threatened with the suspects and mastermind allegedly still at-large.
The late mayor’s daughter, herself a mayor of another Mountain Province town, in an interview challenged authorities to effect the arrest of other suspects and the mastermind, she alleged to be still on the loose, as they pose a threat to her and her family amid their call for justice.
Natonin Mayor Anna Marie Rafael-Banaag said that the suspects and the mastermind of her father’s death are freely roaming around. Experiencing that real threat, she challenges “the officialdom of Mountain Province as to its commitment to help Task Force Paracelis for the immediate resolution of the case.
In an interview, she added though that the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Mountain Province should not stop because the case is far from over.
Culprits are local
Local PNP claimed to media last week that two of Rafael’s killers surrendered while another was arrested.
He identified Rene Yadao and Bong Felix, both 35 and married, as the suspects who surrendered on January 21 reportedly claimed they are bothered by their conscience in killing Rafael. The arrested suspect on January 22 was identified as Tirso Abalos, 40 , also married. All the three accused are also from Paracelis.
The late Rafael was ambushed on December 25, 2007 while leaving his farm at Sitio Sinigpit, Botigui, Paracelis when armed men peppered his Hi Lux Toyota Pick Up with at least 60 bullets. His body registered 200 bullet wounds and his face was unrecognizable as it was blown up by bullets.
Disillusioned
Rafael-Banaag commended the provincial league of municipalities, which her father led before his death. The league had called authorities after the incident to immediately arrest the perpetrators of the ambush-killing.
Local PNP under the Task Force Paracelis reportedly are trying to arrest the other suspects identified as Danny Agabao, Tony and Orland Gumbi, including Rommel Ambatali, alleged mastermind and a barangay captain of Anonat in Paracelis. # Arthur L. Allad-iw for NORDIS
