Police secure the area where the body of Armando Oppus was dumped. | contributed photo
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Policemen in Cebu are yet to determine the motive in the killing of Armando Oppus, whose body was found dumped along the road in Barangay Cansomoroy, Balaban town in midwestern Cebu late night on Tuesday, August 20.
Police Major Christian Torres, chief of the Balamban Police Station, said they do not discount the possibility that the killing may be related to an estafa case that was filed against Oppus at the courts in Davao City.
Torres said that they are now coordinating with their counterparts in Davao City to get more background information on Opus, 34. Balamban police are also trying to contact the family of Opus to inform them of his killing.
“Wala mi kahibaw giunsa niya pag abot dinhi sa Balamban nga gikan siya sa Davao,” Torres told CDN Digital.
(We are yet to determine how he (Torres) arrived in Cebu when he is from Davao City.)
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While they are yet to confirm reports on Oppus’ estafa case, pictures of the victim appear on social media posts naming him as the one of the three persons who carted away at least P400, 000 worth of investment money.
Radyo Ukay that is based in Digos City, Davao del Sur posted on its Facebook page an advisory asking the public not to fall prey to the investment scam initiated by Oppus and two others. The FB post said that the three suspects left Davao City on July 27, 2019 to hide.
The radio station’s post identified their victim as a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a real estate company.
If confirmed, Torres said, that the estafa case against Oppus may be considered as a possible motive in his killing.
Quoting the outcome of their initial investigation, Torres said that Cansomoroy residents saw three vehicles pass by their area the same night that Oppus was killed.
Oppus was found with multiple gunshot wounds on his body.
Torres said that the still unidentified suspects then boarded two of the three vehicles and headed for the direction of Barangay Sunog in Balamban town where Mount Manungal is located. They left behind and burned the Isuzu Mu-x believed to be owned by Oppus.
Police found a wallet with Oppus’ driver’s license, a passport, damaged cellular phone and P47 pieces of slightly burned P100 bills inside the burnt vehicle.
Torres said that they are now coordinating with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to determine the identity of the owners of the Isuzu Mu-x with plate number AEB 4462.
He is also appealing for Oppus family to already claim his body. Torres said that unclaimed bodies will be buried at the municipal cemetery after 60 days. |dcb