Police investigators in this city are looking at a land dispute as the possible motive behind the shooting-to-death of an anti-smoking law enforcer assigned with Task Force Special Action Group Advocating Rapid Reforms.
The smoke-free ordinance enforcer, Pedro Miquiabas Jr., 41, married and a resident of Barangay Candauay, was gunned down shortly after noon Wednesday.
According to Supt. James Goforth, Dumaguete police chief, Miquiabas was riding his motorcycle on his way home when he was shot from behind by a lone suspect on board another motorcycle.
Miquiabas, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the Holy Child Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Crime scene operatives recovered at least five spent shells of nine-millimeter caliber pistol at the crime scene.
Supt. Goforth and City Administrator William Ablong, also the TF SAGARR ground commander, both said they do not believe that Miquiabas’ death was related to the illegal drugs trade.
Miquiabas is the fourth shooting victim in Dumaguete in February alone. The other three shooting cases this month were drug-related, Goforth said.
Initial police investigation and revelations by the victim’s family and some witnesses point to a possible “third party” as a potential motive to the killing, the police chief added.
Meanwhile, Ablong strongly condemned the killing of Miquiabas even as he believes that his job as a smoke free ordinance enforcer was not the motive that led to his death.
Miquiabas was a quiet, soft-spoken and obedient worker who was known by his co-workers as not getting into trouble when calling the attention of persons violating the anti-smoking ordinance, Ablong said.
When asked if the murder of Miquiabas would dampen the spirits of similarly-tasked government workers, Ablong called on enforcers not to despair and continue with their respective tasks fearlessly.
Ablong, nevertheless, agreed with public perception of a growing “culture of impunity” in light of the spate of killings, mostly by shooting, in Dumaguete.
He lamented that times have changed and some people take the short cut instead of going through the processes such as settlement of a complaint at the barangay level, the police station or in court.
The City Administrator also stressed the need to improve the justice system, noting that many lose interest in filing or pursuing a case in court due to costly requirements, such as hiring the services of a lawyer.
The city government has assured to provide financial and burial assistance to the family of the late Miquiabas.
Meanwhile, the Dumaguete City Peace and Order Council on Thursday afternoon held a special emergency meeting to discuss ways on how to improve on the city’s safety and security measures, said Ablong. (PNA/JFP)
