Slay of PDEA officer saddens Palma

CEBU Archbishop Jose Palma sent his condolences to the family of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Information Officer Jesus “Jessie” Tabanao who was shot dead by an unidentified assailant on Escario Street in barangay Camputhaw, Cebu City last Saturday evening.

“I am saddened to know what happened to him. I sympathize with the family. At the same time, we condemn the crime. We hope that justice will prevail for the family,” the 63-year-old prelate told reporters.

Palma said the problem on illegal drugs has been a complex issue that continues to hound society.

Supt. Reycel Carmelo Dayon, assistant head of Task Force Tabanao said they they have a time frame to finish their investigation.

They said they are conducting a thorough investigation and they don’t want a haphazard filing of charges against the perpetrator.

Dayon said there are several angles being looked into but they are inclined to be focused on the possibility that the attack was work-related.

Tabanao was shot dead Saturday night while on his way to fetch his pregnant wife at the IT park.

Tabanao’s body was brought to his hometown in Moalboal last Wednesday and will be buried on Thursday, Sept. 26.

The Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) has reportedly submitted the results of the forensic examination on Tabanao’s cellular phones but Dayon did not reveal the information they got from the phones.

Dayon said he ordered his men to go back to the area to check establishments near the crime scene for CCTV cameras that might have recorded the shooting.

Dayon said members of the task force will convene to collate the results of their individual assignments./Correspondent Chito O. Aragon and Reporter Adol Vincent S. Mayol