Cebu City dangles additional P100T for arrest of cop killer

Local

THE Cebu City government is offering a ₱100,000 cash rewar for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of suspects behind the fatal shooting of a Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) officer during a police operation in Barangay Sudlon 2 over the weekend.

Mayor Nestor Archival announced the reward on Monday, Oct. 27, following the killing of Police Captain Joel Deiparine, a CIDG-Lapu-Lapu field officer, who was shot dead while serving an arrest warrant on Saturday evening, Oct. 25.

Another CIDG operative, Police Executive Master Sergeant Artchel Tero, was injured in the incident.

Archival said the city is matching the ₱100,000 bounty earlier offered by the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), raising the total reward to ₱200,000.

“Niingon ang atong PRO-7 nga muhatag sila ug ₱100,000 if kinsay makatudlo ug makadakop. Sa syudad sa Sugbo, atong additionalan ug another ₱100,000,” the mayor said.

Archival condemned the killing of Deiparine. He described it as “deeply unfortunate” and “a violent act against officers only doing their duty.”

“Subo kaayo na, kay ang atong mga police igo ra gyud tong nituman kay naay alarm ngadto gipusil ang usa ka kapitan,” he said.

He appealed to the suspects to surrender peacefully and cooperate with authorities.

“Ang gihimo nila dili na sakto. Wala ta kabalo ngano, pero ang ilang gibuhat dili gyud to maayo. Gihangyo nako ang mga tawo nga suspect, muingon sila nga wala silay sala, pero surrender,” Archival urged.

“This is one major item nga naguol ko kay the last three months nga nakalingkod ko walay major nga nahitabo nga naay nangamatay. This is the first time,” he added.

Archival also reminded police officers to remain cautious in carrying out their duties, citing the risks involved in serving arrest warrants.

“I know that you are very careful. There is a process on how to conduct arrests, but right now it’s very important that you be extra careful. We never know what the situation will be—sometimes reactions are sudden, and weapons are involved,” he said.

The mayor also appealed to residents engaged in illegal activities to stop, saying the city offers livelihood programs and training for those struggling to find legitimate work.

“Akong hangyo, ayaw nalang na buhata. You can go to my office, and we can see how we can help. We have livelihood training and assistance for those without jobs,” Archival said.

Police reports showed that the shootout happened around 6 p.m. on October 25 in Sitio Balaw, Barangay Sudlon 2, when CIDG operatives served a warrant of arrest against Leonardo “Jun” Manto, who faces a murder charge.

According to Police Captain Charisma Gonzales, information officer of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Manto and his companions allegedly fired at the CIDG team using high-powered firearms, believed to be M16 rifles.

“During sa pag-serve sa warrant, ningsukol ni ang kaning mga suspect. So nagamit nila ang ilahang mga high-caliber firearm, allegedly daw M16,” Gonzales said.

Deiparine sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the face and body and was declared dead at the scene. Tero, meanwhile, suffered graze wounds while evading the gunfire and was brought to a hospital for treatment.

The suspects, identified as Jun Manto, Renante “Nante” Manto, and an unidentified companion, fled after the shootout. Police have been conducting pursuit operations since Saturday night.

Records showed that Jun Manto was arrested by the Pari-an Police Station in July 2023 for illegal possession of firearms, while Renante Manto was arrested by the City Mobile Force Company in March 2022 for violating Republic Act 7610, the law protecting children from abuse and exploitation.

The two were reportedly under surveillance as part of Oplan Paglalansag Omega, an anti-criminality drive targeting armed groups and alleged gun-for-hire operations.

Gonzales said investigators are preparing documents to file charges against the suspects while an autopsy is being conducted to determine the extent of Deiparine’s injuries.

“Since declared dead naman ang biktima, okay na pud ang isa, ang atoang concern karon lang gyud is ang arrest sa mga suspects. Eventually, gina-prepare pud ang documents para ma-file ang kaso,” she said.

Authorities continue to urge the public to report any information that may help locate the suspects by contacting the nearest police station or the PRO-7 hotline.(TGP)