Scrolling down: also read about the different charges filed separately by NBI and CIDG, what they mean and how they mirror contrasting theories about PO3 Calumba's killing; and Mike Rama's promise of only one candidate from their opposition group
Region police chief Debold Sinas did not talk about Tejero Cebu City barangay councilor Jessielou Cadungog being a "drug personality" and in the PNP watch-list of drug suspects when Sinas talked about the case last Monday (July 30). At least, news reports did not mention anything about it.
On Wednesday (August 1), as CIDG filed its charges on the case following Tuesday's (July 31) filing of its own charges by the NBI, Sinas unveiled a clutch of anti-Cadungog allegations:
[] Cadungog's being into drug trafficking;
[] His owning 13 firearms whose licenses Sinas would want to be revoked.
Sinas last Monday defended the surveillance made by PO3 Eugene Alcuin Calumba, who rode on a motorcycle driven by police asset Michael Banua. No mention of Cadungog being a drug trafficking suspect. Wednesday, the police chief disclosed it, maybe to lend force to the claim that police watch on Cadungog was valid.
That may be so but it may also strengthen suspicion that the alleged attempt to kill Cadungog, which failed, was that he was a drug lord who must be liquidated. That could establish motive, which everyone was asking about, after the former barangay chief was linked to the killing.
Could the police prove Cadungog's drug ties? The result would tell the public whether the drugs card would work this time.
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Homicide? Or murder?
The NBI says the killing of police officer Calumba was homicide and councilor Cadungog had no part in it. It also says motorcycle driver Banua took part in the murder attempt against Cadungog and thus it would charge him with attempted murder. Meaning, if PO3 Calumba had survived, he would've been charged too with attempted murder.
The CIDG, on the other hand, says Cadungog and his bodyguard-driver William Macaslang plotted to kill the cop and his driver. Calumba was shot and killed but his driver Banua was not injured. The police group filed murder and attempted murder against Cadungog and Macaslang.
Both NBI and CIDG must have different evidences in their hands. Or one agency might just be following the theory and protecting the interest of its mother organization.
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'United' Team Rama
At a press-con aired on social media Wednesday (August 1), where former mayor Mike Rama and Vice Mayor Edgar Labella sat together with other Cebu City opposition stalwarts, Mike announced there would be only one candidate from Barug: either he or Labella. And each would rally to the other in the "common fight" to wrest City Hall from Mayor Tomas Osme¤a.
Mike though did not say how the candidate for mayor would be picked and each would abide by the results of the process.
The former mayor invoked Senyor Santo Niño and "all the saints in heaven" to guide the party in their crusade for good governance. But first they have to agree on how to pick the man they want the saints to favor.
And their new name? United Barug Team Rama. It doesn't mention "PDP Laban." If it would, the final name would be longer than ever and tougher for voters to remember.
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