Koko condemns killing of Cebu City Brgy. Chairman Imok Rupenta

Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III today condemned the ambushed slay of Barangay Chairman Felicisimo "Imok" Rupenta of Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, saying Cebu City lost a dedicated public servant who was loved by the masses.

In a statement, Pimentel, who considered Rupenta a loyal PDP Laban stalwart in Cebu City, challenged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to extend extra efforts to apprehend the suspects for the early resolution of the case.

Police reports said Rupenta was waylaid by four assailants riding in two motorcycles in Liloan town on Thursday night (November 23, 2017). The victim was driving his Isuzu pick-up truck with wife Jocelyn when the attackers blocked their path and started shooting.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he later expired.

Pimentel said he was shocked upon learning of the killing of Rupenta whom he described as among the original diehards of the PDP Laban at a time when the party was still a struggling group during the martial rule of the late strongman President Marcos.

"I call upon the police to immediately arrest the suspects and dig deep into the case because this may have something to do with his job as a no non-sense public servant. He was very much active in the campaign against illegal drugs," said Pimentel.

He said the PDP Laban would always cherish the sacrifices of Rupenta, who in the company of the legendary "Inday" Nita Daluz, Elias Baquero, Atty. Democrito "Mokring" Barcenas and Tony Cuenco, anchored the party's fight against the dictatorship together with his father, former Senate President Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr.