P100,000 for witnesses setin newsman’s slay

By Maria Teresa Benas

BANGUED, Abra– The Abra Provincial Peace and Order Council is offering P100,000 cash reward to anyone who will come out as witness in the murder of Jacinto “Jack” Turqueza, a news reporter, former employee of the provincial government and  administrative officer of Abra Provincial Prosecutor's Office.

Gov. Eustaquio P. Bersamin announced this during a PPOC  meeting Nov. 12  at provincial capitol.

The additional cash reward from the Abra-PPOC ups reward money  to  P200,000 as Guardians Reform Advocacy and Cooperation towards Economic Prosperity (GRACE) of Baguio City earlier committed P100,000.00 as reward to anyone who witnessed the murder of Turqueza.

Bersamin said he was hopeful the cash reward would initiate cooperation from people towards solution of the case.

Turqueza, was shot dead  in this capital town last October  by two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle.

The Abra provincial police office is again feeling the heat from officials and the populace because of alarming increase in crime in the province especially particularly those committed by men riding in tandem on motorcycles.

Because of deteriorating peace and order condition in the province especially in the capital town, the governor said  the PGA will procure CCTV cameras and install these in conspicuous areas. This way, the APPO can take immediate action on crime incidents that they monitor through  CCTV cameras.

It was also recommended by the body to the PNP to strengthen the witness protection program with the help of the council.

Col. Paul T. Atal, commander of the 503rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army   expressed his support to peace initiatives and efforts of the PGA and PPOC.

He said the Philippine army is mandated to support the PNP in law enforcement operations.

This mandate, Atal said, is aside from their primary mandate of counter-insurgency.