RESIDENTS of Barangay Duljo-Fatima remained mum over reports of the death of suspected drug dealer Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz who used to live in a compound in the area.
A Cebu Daily News team was in Barangay Duljo-Fatima yesterday to search for Diaz’s compound, one of several he owned in Cebu.
Diaz was shot down in an encounter with Cebu police in Las Piñas City last Friday evening.
When the CDN team asked a trisikad driver about Diaz, he paused for a second and answered, “Huh, Jaguar? Maybe there.”
The driver told the CDN team to go to a hardware store which serves as landmark.
Roads along Barangay Duljo-Fatima are congested and most of its lanes are occupied with small stores.
When the hardware store was located by the team, another resident who wore a black shirt was asked about Jaguar’s house.
“Why? Just follow that corner,” the man then walked out and refused to give more details.
The news team’s vehicle then stopped by a yellow-orange painted house.
There were four men who were standing outside.
The CDN team asked a man who wore a blue shirt about Diaz’s compound. “We don’t know about that,” he answered.
A man who wore only pants also answered, “His house is not here. We don’t know. Maybe there.”
CDN went to the office of Barangay Duljo-Fatima chairman Elmer Abella yesterday but he was unavailable.
When police raided Diaz’s compound last year, reports surfaced that some residents acted as lookout and warned the suspected drug dealer of their presence, enabling him to escape. In return, Diaz is said to have distributed cash and food to these residents.
The regional Commission of Human Rights (CHR-7) said no relatives of Diaz visited their office to file a complaint against any irregularities that may have resulted in his death during last Friday’s police pursuit.
Leo Villarino of the CHR 7 investigation division said if they do come, he will refer them to their Las Piñas office.
Earlier Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Police Regional Office 7 chief, said they plan to hold an anti-illegal drug seminar in Duljo-Fatima./With USJ-R Intern Dafne Wenceslao