Foreign aid sought in Archival slay probe

The task force investigating the ambush-slaying  of lawyer Noel Archival may ask the International Police (Interpol) or the US Department of  Homeland Security for technical assistance in enhancing the footage that showed the vehicles used by the assailants.

“In the footage, the vehicle was seen but the plate number is unclear so we need the technology to zoom in on the plates,” said Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief who heads Task Force Archival.

He said he hopes the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) anti-cybercrime group can do the task.

Last Monday, Gillamac said NBI investigators went to his office and asked for the footage and names of witnesses.

He said if the NBI doesn’t have the technology to clear the footage, they may ask Interpol or the US Embassy’s assistance.

The Cebu Provincial Board (PB) is also inviting Regional NBI Director Antonio Pagatpat to update them on the case.

Board member Arleigh Sitoy said Pagatpat can  help the legislators “have a clear view” of the murder case.

Archival and three of his  aides were on their way to Cebu City from a court hearing in Dumaguete when their vehicle was ambushed by unidentified assailants in barangay Coro, Dalaguete town last Feb. 17.

The lawyer, his security aide Candido Miñoza and driver Alejandro Jaime were killed on the spot.

In a separate resolution, the PB also condemned the incident saying the “attack was an affront against the state and to each and every peace-loving Cebuano.”

PB Member Miguel Magpale said the ambush  gives a distorted perception of a “culture of impunity” in the province’s peace and order climate.

“In each instance that the criminal justice system is circumvented, it grows weaker and more irrelevant and the culture of impunity that thrives in its place fuels cycles of consequence-free violence and law breaking,” he said.

The board also sent its deepest condolences to the family of the late lawyer.