The series of carnapping incidents with Yu’s alleged syndicate that has marred the city’s reputation reportedly angered the vice mayor. Duterte was also reportedly incensed over Yu implicating his son, councilor Paolo, in the syndicate, which prompted a call from interior and local government secretary Mar Roxas upon order from President Benigno Aquino III querying on the matter.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The manhunt for Ryan Yu alias ‘Baktin’ (Visayan for piglet), the alleged leader of a carnapping syndicate here, is expected to intensify as the bounty for his capture is increased to six million pesos by Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
This was the assessment of the city’s police director, Sr. Supt. Ronald Dela Rosa, during the regular Ispeak on Thursday.
“Mas modaghan ang interesado tungod sa kadako sa bounty (More will be interested because of the big bounty),” Dela Rosa said during the press briefing.
He added, the increased bounty was taken by members of the law enforcement as a great challenge. “With that increase, we are duty-bound to arrest him (Yu),” the police chief added.
On Tuesday, Duterte announced the additional one million pesos to the outstanding five million pesos to speed up the arrest of Yu. The increase, the vice mayor said, will materialize in January next year if nothing happens to the authorities’ intensified manhunt for Yu.
Duterte was earlier quoted as saying he would offer two million pesos as reward money for whoever can capture Yu, even saying that he would add another two million pesos “if the person is brought to him dead,” and an additional one million pesos for “his head served with ice on a platter.”
The pronouncement sparked debates among Davaoeños as some are in favor of the vice mayor’s yet another unorthodox approach to crime-fighting and those who are of the opinion that the vice mayor might have violated the human rights of the suspect.
Such criticism prompted Duterte to clarify in his Sunday regular television program Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa, that he meant “killing Yu would become necessary if he resists arrest and fight back.”
Duterte also cited that the bounty did not come from his own pocket but “a contribution from friends.”
The series of carnapping incidents with Yu’s alleged syndicate that has marred the city’s reputation reportedly angered the vice mayor.
Duterte was also reportedly incensed over Yu implicating his son, councilor Paolo, in the syndicate, which prompted a call from interior and local government secretary Mar Roxas upon order from President Benigno Aquino III querying on the matter.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa clarified that the local police did not provide special security to the arrested members of Yu’s alleged carnapping syndicate who already bailed out of detention.
He said before they were released on bail, they were only given assurance of police assistance if they receive direct threats.
“They are free to contact us once they feel that their lives are in danger,” Dela Rosa said, adding that contact numbers of the police investigation and protective management section were given to the suspects. He also provided them his personal number in case they need help.
Each of the three self-confessed members of Yu’s gang identified themselves as Eddie Lopez of Marilog District; Diego Macatimbang of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental; and Hermie Tahom of San Agustin, Surigao del Sur. They posted 180,000-peso bail each before the Regional Trial Court here for their temporary liberty.
Another suspect identified as Gerry Paulino from Buhangin, this city has refused to post bail. He chose to stay under detention for fear of his security.
Who paid the bail bond?
But questions as to who actually paid the bail bond remained a mystery.
“When they were arrested and detained here at the DCPO (Davao City Police Office), they manifested that they would not post bail nor produce funds for their counsels because they could not afford it. Second, they said, their lives would be in danger if they stay outside,” Dela Rosa said.
Suddenly, the police chief said, lawyers whom he did not identify arrived and processed the bail bond of the suspects. “Even the suspects said they did not hire those lawyers,” he revealed.
“Obvious na. Klaro na nga ang nagpaluyo si Baktin. Asa man tog kwarta mga bataa? Kinsa may mo hire aning mga abogadoha ni, kundi si Baktin (It is already obvious and clear that Baktin was behind in all of these. Where would the suspects get money? Who will hire lawyers for them? Nobody, but Baktin.)
But Dela Rosa also clarified that they cannot pressure the lawyers for the police understand that as counsels they are only performing their duties to assist their clients and to protect their rights.
Possible overhaul
Meanwhile, Police Senior Supt. Gregorio Pimentel, chief of Highway Patrol Group (HPG) in region XI, confirmed in the same press conference that the PNP Chief saw the need to revamp HPG leadership in the region.
Likewise, Pimentel added, it was also recommended to the command that Yu’s modus operandi must be studied and his machinery understood.
The police officer also clarified that their work on Yu’s case is almost complete. At present, they are concentrating on the recovery of motor vehicles, investigation of the recovered motor vehicles and running after the remaining suspects.
“We have done our job already. Cases are already filed against the suspects. The judicial system must work on this,” Pimentel said. (Alex D. Lopez/davaotoday.com)
