A manhunt for the suspect in the murder of barangay chairman Timoteo Sepada Largo of Camban-ug, Toledo City had yet to produce results, leading to speculations that he may have left the city.
Supt. Ricky Delilis, Toledo City police chief, said information they received from residents in barangay Ilag indicated that suspect Dionesio “Diding” Juarez headed to nearby Balamban town via a “narrow, mountainous road” in their area.
He said a search they conducted with a Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) in a forested area in barangay Camban-ug where Juarez reportedly headed to after the murder turned up negative.
Juarez’s family, who lived in sitio Dakit, barangay Camban-ug also left their home, Delilis said.
Juarez reportedly shot down his 65-year-old neighbor Largo, who rode in an SUV, with an M16 rifle in sitio Cabulihan, barangay Ilihan, Toledo City last Tuesday.
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A passerby identified as Desiderio Badayos was hit in the chest with a stray bullet. Both Largo and Badayos were rushed to the Toledo City District Hospital where doctors declared Largo dead.
Badayos was transferred to a hospital in Cebu City.
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO), said he still believes that Juarez is staying in a mountainous area in Toledo City.
Gillamac said he already asked the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB) to assist in the search for Juarez.
Delilis said they will file charges against Juarez.
Largo’s remains is at the St. Peter’s Funeral Homes in Toledo City.
Delilis asked Toledo City residents to provide information that may lead to Juarez’s arrest.
Police suspect that Largo was killed due to his crackdown on illegal drugs and quarrying activities in his area.
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