Suspected cop killer gunned down in shootout; alleged getaway driver doesn’t know how to ride a bike
Why did they kill my son? He doesn’t even know how to drive a motorcycle!”
A distraught Gloria Mondigo made this statement as she bewailed the fatal shooting of his son, Jimboy, whom the police tagged as one of the assailants of a Cebu City policeman last Saturday.
Jimboy or James Flores, 25, of Jakosalem St. in barangay Kamagayan was allegedly killed in a shootout with policemen Wednesday night who tried to arrest him in connection with the killing of PO2 Gerlito Estremos.
Police said they were forced to shoot back after Flores allegedly fired his gun at them. The suspect died instantly.
“Katulo ko nakabuhi og bala kay lisod kaayo – armed siya (I fired three shots as he’s armed and dangerous.),” said Senior Insp. Keith Andaya, deputy chief of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) of the Cebu City Police Office.
He added the arresting team was in a disadvantegous position as it was dark and crowded and they were not familiar with the area in sitio Manga in barangay Tisa where the alleged gunfight took place.
Senior Supt. Mariano Natu-el Jr., acting chief of police of Cebu City, said a witness in the policeman’s killing identified Flores as the one who drove the motorcycle which he and Ian Canseco allegedly used in their getaway. He identified Flores as Canseco’s runner in their illegal drug trade.
Canseco was arrested Monday based on a pending arrest warrant in a drug case. He was allegedly seen in a bank security camera as the one who beat up PO2 Estremos who was later shot in face with his own gun.
The Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday refused to accept the charge sheet for murder against Canseco on a technicality (see sidebar).
Judgement call
A police team was sent to Sitio Manga following reports that Flores was seen in the area on Wednesday night.
The lawmen introduced themselves on seeing Flores but he allegedly drew a .45 caliber pistol and fired at them.
Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the CIB, said the killing of the suspect was the arresting team’s judgement call.
Police recovered the pistol with six rounds of ammunition, the suspect’s wallet and temporary driving license.
Mother’s lament
The suspect’s mother, Gloria Mondigo, lamented why the police had to kill him.
“Ila na lang unta tong gibunalan ug kulata akong anak kaysa ilang gipatay. Wala baya juy ikasukol akong anak kanila kay gamay baya jud to siya nga tawo (They should have had beaten him up instead of killing him. My son could not fight back as he’s just lightly-built.),” she told Cebu Daily News.
Mondigo said she doesn’t believe the story that her son drove the motorcycle when the policeman’s killers fled. She claims that her son doesn’t even know how to ride a bike.
Mondigo said they were aware that her son was being linked to the killing of PO2 Estremos and even told her son on the day he was killed to come to Danao but he allegedly said that he wants to clear his name.
A policeman named Ray Rosano allegedly spoke to Flores and allegedly insisted in linking him to the killing.
“Ma, ila man hinoon ko gi-ingnan nga ako kuno’y usa sa mga suspect (The police were saying I’m one of the suspects.),” Mondigo said quoting her son as telling her.
Mondigo said her son was imprisoned for seven years in connection with a drug case. He was released after the case was dismissed, she added.
Mondigo moreover said she’s not aware of any links between her son and the first suspect, Canseco.
“Kana si Ian, suod-suod lang na sa mga tawo dire kay hilig man nag moanhi og molaag pero wala jud ko kadungog sa akong anak nga kuyog na silang duha (Ian has many friends here and he often comes here, but I’m not aware if he hangs out with my son.),” she added.
Mondigo said they will file a case against the police for violating his son’s rights as soon as she’s able to raise money to pay for a lawyer’s services.
