Negros Oriental solon seeks probe on brutal killing of driver

BACOLOD CITY – Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. has urged the Philippine National Police to thoroughly probe the brutal killing of his driver in Sitio Bunsod, Barangay Obat, Santa Catalina, Negros Oriental on Monday, Nov. 28.

In a video posted on Facebook, Teves confirmed that Juvanie Catubay, 38, of Barangay Poblacion, was his driver.

A police report said Catubay was riding a motorcycle on his way home and was killed by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle when he dropped by a store.

The gunmen took the victim’s motorcycle when they fled, police said.

Police recovered from the crime scene 10 fired bullets of a 5.56 mm caliber firearm, a fired bullet, and a deformed slug of a .45 caliber firearm.

Teves said he was wondering how a civilian could carry a long firearm such as an armalite when there are Army and police present in the province.

“Unsa man ang nahitabo? Ngaa may nakadala armalite nga wala nakit-an? (What happened? Why can a person carry an armalite without being noticed?)” he asked.

Col. Reynaldo Lizardo, acting Negros Oriental police director, who just assumed office on Monday, said they condemn the killing.

Lizardo said the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (Norppo) is conducting a thorough investigation on Catubay’s death and assured that they are continuing efforts to identify the perpetrators and determine the motive.

“Tayo ay magsasagawa ng patas at maayos na imbestigasyon para mabigyan ng hustisya ang namatay (We will conduct a fair and orderly investigation to give justice to the victim),” he added.

“We will leave no stones unturned,” he stressed.

Lizardo said that additional personnel were deployed in Santa Catalina maximum police presence following the incident.