Buenavista Mayor Atty. Dave Duallo expressed deep sadness over the ambush against his political opponent Atty. Rico Cabarrubias which resulted in death of the latter’s driver, airing his distress over accusations that the gun attack was “politically motivated.”
Duallo poured out his sentiments during an interview with DYRD “Inyong Alagad” on January 16, 2019 after he felt that he was being alluded to as the brains behind the dastardly assault perpetrated by still unknown assailants in an isolated stretch of highway in Barangay Tulang, Jetafe.
“I was deeply shocked when I learned that an ambush was executed against my close friend that caused the death of his driver. This act of violence has smeared my efforts to erase the stigma of barbarity that has always stained the reputation of Buenavista as a town wracked by a culture of violence.”
“Since I took over the mayorship of Buenavista after the killing of Mayor Ronald Lowell “Sample” Tirol on May 27, 2018, I have made my priority the peace and order situation. There has been no incidence of violence since I sat as mayor,” according to Duallo.
RECKLESS
Duallo lashed at 1st District Congressman Rene Relampagos who pinned the ambush and killing on politics as “the height of irresponsibility” especially coming from a person of his stature.
“Is this a statement from a congressman? His accusations are baseless and bereft of any evidence. And besides, he should bring this up with the police and not to the media because of its sensitivity.”
Relampagos statement was riddled with falsehoods and contradictions, according to Duallo, saying “His basis was anchored on a petition for disqualification which I allegedly filed and incidents that all happened in the past.”
Relampagos told “Inyong Alagad”, the day after the ambush of Cabarrubias that with the history of violence wracking the town “I have no doubt that this is politically motivated. I am 100% sure that this is politics.”
Upon being informed of Relampagos categorical conclusion, Duallo vigorously denied any knowledge of the planning and execution of the killing of his classmate and colleague in the law profession.
Duallo, although admitting the long history of violence plaguing his town lambasted Relampagos for fomenting accusations coming from a bias source
“I did not file a case of disqualification against Rico on the basis of a questionable authority of Relampagos to sign the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA). I refrained from filing the petition in recognition of our close friendship with Rico. The petition was filed by Hernani Fuentes, my relative.”
According to Duallo, the name of Cabarrubias was not in the Consolidated list of all substitute candidates for local positions for Bohol as released by the Comelec.
A check from the Comelec website posted on December 17, 2018, did not show the town of Buenavista, name to appear in the ballot and their respective positions of its substitute candidate.
Only 26 towns with substitute candidates appeared in the consolidated list.
Duallo also told “Inyong Alagad” that the political atmosphere in Buenavista was characterized by civility and was based on issues confronting the community.
COMELEC’S OFFICIAL STAEMENT
The local office of the Comelec said that Cabarrubias is officially recognized as a mayoralty bet of Buenavista as the protest was already resolved by Comelec en banc.
The statement of the local Comelec came after it was mentioned that in the website of the commission the name of Cabarubias is not yet listed.
TRAGIC
Cabarrubias and his driver, Conrado Aniasco were heading home after a court hearing in Talibon and was trailed by two unidentified hitmen on board a motorcycle shortly at around 1:50 PM.
According to the initial investigation of the Jetafe Police Station, the hitman fired three shots from a .45 caliber handgun upon coming abreast from the left side of the Toyota Fortuner the victims were on board fatally hitting Aniasco in the armpit who was declared dead on the spot by responding Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO).
Cabarrubias who was seated at the right front side was unhurt after he manage to escape by leaping out of the vehicle and scampered to a nearby house.
The ambush was carried out in a remote part of a highway 12 kilometers from Talibon and 20 kilometers from the town poblacion of Buenavista.
A Special Task Force was created by Provincial Police Director, Police Senior Superintendent Julius Gornez to pursue the killers and bring justice to Cabarrubias and Anasco. (Chito M. Visarra)