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Despite a shooting incident in barangay Lorega in Cebu City and three murders in the province, directors of various police offices in Cebu reported that the commemoration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day was the most peaceful in years.
Chief Supt. Lani-O Nerez, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said the fatalities were not related to the celebration, and that cemeteries in the region reported no disturbances.
The number of seized objects, such as liquor and weapons, were at a bare minimum this year, Nerez said.
He attributed these to better cooperation from the public with law enforcement agencies.
Nerez said that a report from the Cebu City Police Office indicated that the CCPO confiscated only one bladed weapon, and three bottles of liquor.
In the Cebu City shooting, the fatality was identified as Eric Fuentes, 24, who was shot in the head yesterday at 4 a.m.
Jeralyn, the victim’s sister, said Eric was sitting by the roadside when a man whom she identified as “Brian” shot Eric.
Brian was a barangay tanod of Lorega, Jeralyn claimed.
Police recovered a toy gun beside Eric’s body.
The shooting was the only homicide case recorded by the police on Nov. 1 and 2.
In Lapu-Lapu City, this year’s observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day were “the most peaceful and orderly ever,” said Senior Supt. Mariano Natuel Jr. Natuel, director of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LLCPO).
He credited this to the city’s strict implementation of a liquor and noise ban in cemeteries, prompting visitors to stay only an hour or less.
Natuel said there were also Halloween parties that diverted the attention of the youth. Another factor was the economic crisis that prevented people from spending too much on holiday preparations or traveling far.
Like in Cebu City, only a few weapons were seized in Lapu-Lapu City, he said.
Motorists also cooperated by parking vehicles away from cemetery entrances and exits.
“People have definitely become more educated. They’re voluntarily cooperating with the police,” Natuel said.
No crimes were recorded by police over the past two days, Natuel said.
The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) reported minimum incidents of crimes in the towns and cities, none of them related to the holidays.
Senior Supt. Jesus Gaquing, CPPO director, admitted that there were fewer policemen assigned to far-flung towns, but they were still able to keep the peace.
Gaquing thanked his men and the public for cooperating during the holidays.
In the town of Dumanjug, Lope Antiga, 27, was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen outside his home on Nov. 1. Police believe the killing was caused by a grudge.
Also on Nov. 1, Junel Mendoza, a native of Negros Occidental, was shot dead allegedly by Ric Cañete, 24, in barangay Dapitan, Cordova.
Prior to the incident, Mendoza was talking to friends by the roadside, one of whom was Jojo Rosalejos.
Cañete arrived and attempted to shoot Rosalejos, but missed and hit Mendoza instead, killing him.
Cañete initially eluded authorities, but later surrendered himself to a barangay councilor.
A third fatality was John Rey Demecillo, 23, of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental, a construction worker temporarily staying in barangay Poblacion, Toledo City.
He was drinking with friends early yesterday morning when another group of men arrived, one of whom stabbed him in the chest. He died hours later.
