SITG formed to probe lawyer’s slay

Local

THE Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) has formed a Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) to probe the ambush-slay of lawyer-accountant Duke Ramil Perral Lincuna in Barangay Bakilid early Thursday morning, Dec. 11.

The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) has deployed additional personnel and national support units to assist the investigation.

PRO-7 chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Atienza Maranan sent chiefs from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and other offices to fast-track the case.

Lt. Col. Mercy Villaro, MCPO spokesperson, said the SITG is working to identify the gunmen, determine the motive, and accelerate case resolution.

Investigators are enhancing CCTV footage showing the two suspects, including a clip where one gunman’s bonnet briefly came off, revealing his face.

Villaro said investigators are exploring personal, professional, and business angles, but the motive remains undetermined.

No person of interest has been identified.

She appealed to the public for clearer CCTV or dashcam footage that may help the investigation.

Lincuna, 54, a resident of Barangay Lamac, Consolacion, Cebu, was assigned to BIR RDO–81 Cebu City North and handled large-scale business, property, and real-estate matters.

Family and friends said he had not received any death threats, but authorities will examine his electronic devices to verify this.

Police said the victim was attacked at 5:50 a.m. on Sacris Road.

Two men riding a motorcycle tailed his SUV, opened fire at close range after he stopped, and fled immediately.

Responders brought Lincuna to Mandaue City District Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival due to multiple gunshot wounds to the face, head, and body.

Authorities recovered at least eight empty shells at the scene.

The SUV had shattered windows, bullet holes, and blood on the driver’s seat, and is now under police custody for further examination.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines in Cebu condemned the killing, saying, “The IBP-Cebu Chapter unequivocally condemns this brazen act of violence.”

The organization described the ambush as a direct assault on the rule of law and the legal profession, and urged a rigorous investigation to hold those responsible accountable.

IBP-Cebu also coordinated with law enforcement agencies to strengthen protective measures for lawyers and emphasized the need for institutional mechanisms to prevent attacks from going unaddressed.(MyTVCebu)