The strafing incident outside the house of provincial prosecutor Macario Delusa in Tagbilaran City last week may have been targeted against other residents in the area and not the fiscal himself, said a Bohol police official.
Investigators have yet to establish a motive for the gun attack but Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) acting director Sr. Supt. Angeles Geñorga on Tuesday confirmed that Delusa did not receive any threat prior to the incident.
“Wala naman din siyang natatanggap na threat,” said Geñorga. “Parang hindi naman siya ang target.”
Delusa’s house was apparently shot at by one of two motorcycle-riding suspects at 8 p.m. on Saturday last week while he and his family were away. The bullets hit the concrete fence of the provincial prosecutor’s home.
However, Geñorga said that the suspects may have intended the gun attack for residents living behind Delusa’s home which is part of a compound.
“Siyempre may motive yun. May mga sinasabing pwede yung mga nakatira sa likod ng bahay ni prosecutor ang possible target. May mga ibang bahay kase doon sa compound,” said Geñorga.
For his part, Delusa who personally reported the incident to Geñorga said that he was also uncertain whether or not he was the target of the attack.
According to Delusa, the strafing which was perpetrated by two mask-clad suspects was likely carried out as a threat and not to actually injure anyone.
Delusa however said that he will still be acquiring the services of a bodyguard for his safety.
“Duna tay plano nga security nga i-detail sa atong office, mao puy atong.. [for] safety ba,” he added.
Delusa has been active in the campaign against illegal drug activities in the province, particularly around his neighborhood in Barangay Manga.
The provincial fiscal believes that his crusade may have drawn the ire of the suspects, but he noted that he remains firm in his stand against narcotics trade. (Rey Tutas)