NBI: Help us unmask brains in Sison case

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) is asking the public to help them unmask the mastermind behind the fatal ambush of Cebu lawyer Richard William Sison.

Renan Augustus Oliva, NBI-7 supervising agent, issued the call after the recent conviction of the gunman in Sison’s killing, security guard Nemuel Sumabong.

“Anybody who has information (about the mastermind) can go to our office,” Oliva said.

Oliva, the lead investigator in Sison’s killing four years ago, also claimed yesterday that the agency had identified the mastermind behind the killing but he refused to give a name.

“We are building it (case against mastermind) up. We are working on somebody we believe to be the mastermind,” he said. “We should have enough evidence. We have to double our efforts to get the driver (of the getaway motorcycle) and the mastermind.”

convicted

Last Tuesday, 32-year-old Sumabong was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 to 40 years of imprisonment.

He was also ordered to pay P120.6 million in total damages to the heirs of Sison.

Sison, the former lawyer of Rep. Arturo Radaza of the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City, was shot dead at about 11 a.m. at the intersection of M.J. Cuenco Avenue and V. Sotto Street on May 21, 2008.

Sumabong was identified by at least two witnesses as the gunman while the driver of the getaway motorcycle remains unidentified.

Oliva admitted they had difficulty identifying the driver of the getaway motorcycle as he was wearing a head gear during the incident.

“There were descriptions of the driver but we failed to establish the identity,” he said.

Although the gunman was already convicted, Oliva said they couldn’t rest on their laurels yet.

“Our efforts were sustained (by the court). We couldn’t have done it without the help of the witnesses. We have to work harder,” Oliva said.

job related

He said the killing of Sison was job related and that he had been receiving death threats before he was attacked.

“Anybody who has information (about the mastermind) can go to our office,” he said.

Oliva believed the conviction of Sumabong sends a message to the other assailants.

“The long arm of the law will catch up with you,” he said.

Sison’s wife, Blandina, said the family believed someone was behind the killing of her husband.

Lawyer Earl Bonchita, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines Cebu City chapter, welcomed Sumabong’s conviction.

“We are jubilant that justice is finally served upon the family of the murdered lawyer. May the case be a deterrent against criminals who are similarly minded,” Bonachita said.

Sumabong was arrested inside his residence in barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City, on June 10, 2008. /Reporter Ador Vincent S. Mayol