Mayor offers P50K reward to  help solve young traders’ slay

By Jennifer P. Rendon and John Noel E. Herrera

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas offered a P50,000 cash reward to anyone who could provide information on the identities of the suspect or suspects behind the deadly shooting incident in Estancia, Iloilo.

While the incident happened in Iloilo province, all three victims were residents of Iloilo City.

Treñas said he is saddened by the report and condoled with the family of Chrysler Floyd Fernandez, 27, of Dayot Subdivision, Barangay Jereos, La Paz, Iloilo City; John Paul Mark Bosque, 28, of Lopez Jaena Sur, Lapuz, Iloilo City; and Mark Clarence Libao, 24, of Block 4, Lot 6, Sto. Rosario Village, Barangay Quintin Salas, Jaro, Iloilo City.

He said the three suspects, being traders, are a big loss to the city’s business sector.

He also ordered Colonel Leo Batiles, Iloilo City police chief, to help the provincial police in probing the incident.

Meanwhile, Rep. Julienne Baronda of the lone district of Iloilo City also issued a statement of condemnation on the deaths of the three victims.

“I call on the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies to leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrator/s to justice at once,” she said.

Baronda added that “it is unconscionable that the bright future which awaits the trio, who have shown much promise to be productive members of our society with their entrepreneurial pursuits, was stolen by this cold-blooded crime.”

As she sympathized with the bereaved families, Baronda said she is with them in their quest for justice.

On the other hand, Governor Arthur Defensor, Jr. has also asked the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) to focus on solving the shooting incident.

Meanwhile, the Iloilo Provincial Government will not give cash rewards to the members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who will solve the case.

Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said in a press conference on Thursday, Sept 15, 2022, that there is no need to offer rewards to police officers in carrying out their work.

“Ang reward system naton, we all know that having rewards is good, but let us allow our PNP to do their job. I don’t think that our PNP needs a reward to prosecute this case” Defensor said.

Defensor also explained that rewards will be given if crimes involve “overriding public interest”.

The governor also spoke to Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, Police Colonel Adrian Acollador regarding the incident and he already gave his directives as the authorities are currently investigating the case.

Defensor also added that he still trusts the IPPO despite the incident of crimes in the province as they are doing their best to solve the cases and “I am confident that the same will happen in these new cases.”

“Ang mga kaso ta sang-una nga gin sugilanon, nag-promiso to sila and they are now being prosecuted, cases are being filed, and again liwaton ko, I know and I trust them because the PNP reports sa akon adlaw-adlaw on their operations, crimes apprehended, and we know what they are doing,” Defensor said.

The three young businessmen were gunned down by riding-in-tandem suspects early morning of Sept 14, 2022, in Estancia, Iloilo.

The three victims were also declared dead on arrival at Jesus Colmenares District Hospital in Balasan, Iloilo.