PMA Class ‘83 puts P1M bounty for capture of Barayuga’s killer

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

Saan aabot ang P1 million mo?

For the Philippine Military Class of 1983, the amount might be a good start to lure individuals to provide information  that could lead to the arrest of persons behind the killing of their classmate, former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.

A lawyer and former police official, Barayuga once headed the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) some 15 years back.

A native of Nueva Ecija, his family has since settled in Iloilo province.

Barayuga was on his way home from his office in Mandaluyong City around 3:30 pm on July 30 when a motorcycle-riding man shot him and his driver from behind.

CCTV footage showed a lone gunman on a motorbike carrying out the attack.

More than two months later, the case remains unresolved, prompting Brayuga’s classmates in PMA “Matikas” Class to pool funds in a bid to fast track the investigation.

Among Barayuga’s classmates are Interior Secretary Eduardo Año and three former military chiefs.

The PMA Class 1983 posted the notice of reward claiming that anyone with information about the murder may contact them at cellphone numbers 09216540715 (Smart) or 09673155108 (Globe).

Further, “the information given that leads to the determination of the identity and apprehension of any person or persons must be given no later than one month after his/their arrest. All reward claims must be in writing and shall be received in person.”

“The reward may be apportioned among various persons and/or paid for the various persons as the circumstances fairly dictate. Any claims for the reward funds should be filed with the PMA Matikas Class of 1983 at the PMA Alumni Center, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City,” the PMA Class 1983 said.

According to Barayuga’s classmate (who asked not to be identified), they had to do it to give justice to a slain comrade.

“If you knew Wesley, you could say that he doesn’t deserve what happened. In a way, it’s like also a test on our capacity as a class,” he said.

Meanwhile, Police Colonel Hector Grijaldo, Mandaluyong City police chief, said he has not received any formal communication from the group about the reward.

When asked how the reward could fast track the probe, “actually, makadagdag kung ano man ang pwedeng mabigay na information…kung anuman ‘yan… Dapat i-take it positively dun sa nagko-conduct ng investigation,” he said.

When further pressed in what way the reward would help, Grijaldo said, “hindi yan yung basis. If the information from the person na truly ay tutulong naman talaga yan. Pwedeng makatulong sa pagbibigay ng motivation dun sa magbibigay ng information sa probable witness.”

Grijaldo was later asked how far they have gone with their investigation given that a task force was created for the purpose.

Days after the killing, the Eastern Police District (EPD) has activated a special investigation task group (SITG) to dig deeper into Barayuga’s murder.

The Mandaluyong City police chief is part of the task group led by led by Colonel Wilson Joseph Lopez, EPD deputy director for operations.

“It’s not within my level. Naka-task group na. May composition na syang tumututok. We have our delineation to do to solve the case.”

And how about the task force’s progress?

“‘Yung usual pa rin na process natin… nag-aano pa rin tayo dun kung ano…Hindi rin naman natin ma-gauge kung saang level na ‘yung ano natin, yung investigation.

We’re doing ‘yung part natin ma-contribute to resolve the cases,” he said.

 

STANDING BEHIND BARAYUGA

After his killing, Barayuga’s niece slammed reports linking the murder to illegal drugs.

In a Facebook post, Mikee Nazal did not contain her frustrations over reports linking Barayuga to illegal drugs.

”We did not know how it unfolded exactly. We relied on breaking news and updates and phone calls in the first hours. Later on we would learn from the autopsy report, CCTV footage, and the police that it was professionally done and… well, planned. We had more questions than answers. And still, more questions,” Nazal said.

“The NBI later stated that Tito was cooperating as a witness to investigations of corruption in the PCSO. It’s not difficult to connect the dots,” she said.

Nazal said that Barayuga was a good a man.

“A proper look at his track record, career, lifestyle, and a collection of accounts from those who knew him and worked with him from all walks of life, would echo the same. He had a good work ethic and brought criminals to justice. According to one eulogy, he chose “Public Servant” over any other work title. According to another, for someone in the military and police field, tito Wesley was non-confrontational. He would rather leave the room than let a debate escalate,” she said.

Nazal has hit “hurtful inaccuracy” in the news claiming that Barayuga’s name is on the narco-list.

“If the list exists then it is false. We, his family, find such a slander so incredulous, it only adds insult to injury,” she said.

Nazal added, “my tito was a good man and he was killed by evil people. He died unjustly. The years he could have lived was stolen from him and his family. I do not know how to grieve such a death but I do know that there will be a reckoning. Justice will come in more ways than one.”

Nazal has also underscored the unjust killings happening in our country.

“Do not be desensitised. Do not stop being angry. Do not stop fighting this system that perpetuates senseless violence and impunity. If you are to grieve with us, then be angry with us. If you are to pray for us, pray for justice,” she said.

Prior to that, National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, who has been known for his “mañanita” caper, earlier claimed that Barayuga was on President Duterte’s “narcolist.”

But aside from pointing to the alleged narcolist, Sinas did not present any other facts to support his claim.

Barayuga also had the backing of his PMA classmates who rebutted Sinas’ claim.

A Viber group chat of PMA Class 1983 said in a statement that “Wesley was never in any list before. Sinas must explain where he got that so-called list. Wesley is a simple man with integrity and honor. He did not enrich himself in the police service and even at the PCSO as Compliance Officer and Board Corporate Secretary.”

The group stated that Barayuga even went to office regularly using public transport (MRT, bus and jeepney) with his computer backpack. It was only from ECQ, to MECQ and GCQ period that he was forced to avail of the office red-plated pick-up vehicle that transports him to and from office during these recent working days.

“He was never involved in drugs, not in any period of his entire career. Was that sudden drug issue a smoke screen to cover up the orchestrated murder of a man filled with integrity and honor who works by the book and conscience? I know him very well to be such.”

They revealed that Barayuga wanted to resign before the pandemic so he can home and stay with his family in Iloilo but was requested by the Chairman to stay with PCSO and help him in the Board.

“Wesley does his job with integrity and cannot be swayed to do wrongful acts,” the statement added.

Further, “it is best for people to know who Sinas is in Cebu before and at NCRPO now and who the investigators are from Mandaluyong. [It] may be helpful to know their backgrounds.  And people should know if Sinas has any connection with any top official at PCSO. Better to know Sinas’ background in Cebu. Why is he now wrongly implicating Wesley to any suspected amended drug list which is really a surprise coming from nowhere,” it added.

Further, “everything said, Wesley is surely an honorable man and an outstanding family man. The truth cannot be twisted in the end.”