Ravanilla family optimistic on the progress of slay probe

By Bobby Q. Labalan SORSOGON CITY --- The family of slain Board Member Peter Ravanilla expressed confidence that the brutal murder would eventually be solved and that the perpetrators would be brought before the bar of justice. PJ Ravanilla, speaking in behalf of the family, said that they, together with his mother, Josephine, and his two younger siblings, are hopeful that the culprits would soon be identified and arrested. The eldest child of the victim made the statement as he emerged from a conference with the Philippine National Police at Camp Salvador Escudero, Sr, in this city where he was briefed on the progress of the investigation. He was with the family’s lawyer, Marvie Layosa, during the meeting. He said they were satisfied by how the police is handling the investigation and that they are grateful for such action by the authorities. Ravanilla agreed to talk with Mediaworks Communication as he cleared some speculations surrounding the killing especially those which allegedly involved family issues. He appealed to the public to avoid wild speculations as they tend to muddle the investigation and unfairly cast aspersion on innocent people. “Please, let the police complete the investigation first so we would all know the truth behind this vicious crime,” he said in the exclusive interview. Ravanilla likewise took the opportunity to publicly express gratitude to the provincial government led by Gov. Robert Lee Rodrigueza for also keeping an eye on the case. Rodrigueza had put up a P100,000 reward for any information leading to the identity of the culprits. The Sanggnuniang Panlalawigan also passed a resolution calling for the speedy resolution of the brutal killing. The Sorsogon Police Provincial Office, led by Senior Supt. Ronaldo Cabral, Sorsogon police director, had created a dedicated team which focuses on the case even as he had formed a special investigation task group. Cabral himself heads the task group which holds a weekly case conference to discuss the progress of the probe. The police director had earlier voiced confidence that they would be able to crack the case though he refused to divulge the full details of the investigation. Cabral said they already had several testimonies and pieces of evidence which could lead to the identity of the gunman and, possibly, the mastermind. He said they already had a composite sketch of the shooter and that they would be releasing a copy to the public soon to seek help in identifying the suspect. Board Member Ravanilla was shot at close range by a lone gunman on the morning of April 11 as he was inspecting the repair of his building along Marahlika Highway at Barangay (village) Pangpang. The victim suffered three gunshot wounds on the head killing him on the spot.