CHANGES AT NBI
AGENTS of the National of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) were surprised after learning that Director Magtanggol Gatdula was dismissed for being implicated in a kidnap-extortion case of a Japanese national.
“Hindi kami makapaniwala (We couldn’t believe what has happened),” NBI-7 Assistant Director Lauro Reyes told Cebu Daily News.
He said the incident involving Gatdula, however, won’t stop them from performing their duties and obligations.
“Work won’t be affected. That’s in place,” Reyes said.
He said the NBI-7 is ready for whatever changes that will happen in the agency.
Based on a report dated Jan. 6, 2012, the fact-finding panel of the Department of Justice (DOJ) found Gatdula and some other NBI officials liable for kidnapping and extorting money from a Japanese woman Noriyo Ohara.
Gatdula’s replacement has yet to be named. ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL
MAN DIES IN HIT-AND-RUN
A 39-YEAR-OLD man was killed in a hit-and-run accident at the South Coastal Road in barangay Lawaan II, Talisay City, southern Cebu last Wednesday night.
Police identified the fatality as Edgardo Borja Jr., a native of barangay Dakit, San Francisco, southern Leyte.
Police said Borja was driving a motorcycle with plate number 4483-GA when a 10-wheeler truck hit him from behind.
Borja was thrown off the motorcycle. The truck sped off.
Borja was brought to the Talisay City District Hospital. He was later moved to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City where he died while being treated.
The case is still under investigation. CORRESPONDENT RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL
JAPANESE FOUND DEAD
A 69-YEAR-OLD Japanese national was found dead in his house in barangay Tuburan Sur, Danao City, northern Cebu, last Thursday afternoon.
Hirotaka Kato was already dead when he was found by his live-in partner sitting on a sofa in their living room.
Revelyn Rica said she just arrived from school and thought that the Japanese was sleeping.
Rica said she became worried when she found out that Kato was no longer breathing.
The woman called the police.
Chief Insp. Ricky P. Delilis said they were informed that Kato was suffering from high blood pressure.
The Japanese was already weak due to old age, said police.
The body was brought to the St. Jude Funeral Homes for an autopsy. CORRESPONDENT RHEA RUTH V. ROSELL
2 MEN MAULED, STABBED
TWO young men were stabbed and wounded by a group of youngsters in barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, last Thursday evening.
Bonicar Inoc, 19, and Jaycris Dulce, 19, were walking along a road when they came across a group of rowdy youngsters.
Inoc and Dulce tried to avoid the group but the youngsters blocked their paths and started mauling them.
Inoc sustained three stab wounds in the back, while Dulce was wounded in the hip.
Police said the attackers were armed with ice picks.
The youngsters fled when the victims slumped on the ground. The victims were brought to a Cebu City hospital.
Investigation to identify the youngsters is ongoing, said police. CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA
DEAD MAN FOUND IN LILOAN
THE decomposing body of a man was found in barangay San Vicente, Liloan town, northern Cebu, last Thursday night.
Mark Anthony Vasquez had not gone home since Jan. 17 before he was found dead. The man’s relatives reported his disappearance to the police.
The body was found in a hilly area that was about 100 meters from the man’s home in sitio Milagrosa.
Police said the body will be autopsied to find out if there was foul play in the man’s death. CORRESPONDENT NORMAN V. MENDOZA