FOUR years after the murder of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP) president Ricardo Rotoras, his brother Elde doubts that their family will ever have justice.

“It has become a cold case,” lamented Elde, who is still seeking justice four years after the death of his younger brother.

Four years ago today, Dr. Rotoras was shot to death by assailants as he was returning home from a Christmas party outside his residence on December 2, 2017.

Elde, together with his fraternity brothers of the Guardians International Unified Command are holding a vigil outside the USTP campus on the 4th anniversary of Dr. Rotoras’ death. They brought placards calling for the authorities to solve the case and bring justice to his death.

WAITING FOR JUSTICE. Elde Rotoras shuffles through the already yellowed copies of letters he has sent to various government agencies in his vain attempt to secure justice for his younger brother, Dr. Ricardo Rotoras, then-president of University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, who was slain on December 2, 2017. Photo by Pat Jared V. Pangantihon

Elde said he has consistently followed up with the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office Special Investigation and Detection Group Special Task Force for Dr. Rotoras. He also has followed up with the National Bureau of Investigation Director Dante Guiran and Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde, and even all the way to the Office of the President’s Presidential Complaint Center in 2019.

“I have written, asking them to intervene and follow up with the NBI’s request with US embassy regarding the (Federal Bureau of Investigation’s assistance for (the) enhancement of video footage obtained by the local police,” he said.

In 2018, police arrested the alleged gunman, 33-year-old Johnreal Abel Gumanay of Zamboanga del Sur, in Makati City in connection with a murder case in Misamis Occidental.

According to the police, Gumanay spoke about a December 2017 hit in Cagayan de Oro when he was subjected to interrogation.

However, Elde and his family were not convinced that the man caught by the police was the same man who killed Dr. Rotoras.

“According to a report by NBI Region 10 in 2017, they had no capabilities to enhance the four video footage retrieved from cameras in the adjoining establishments so they requested assistance from the FBI. But until now, there is no progress,” he said.