Authorities foil notorious criminal group in Negros

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. – A notorious criminal group operating in the southern part of Negros Occidental was foiled by a joint team comprised of police and Philippine Army members early morning of October 28,2015 in Barangay Baclao, Cauayan town, this province.

The 6th Maneuver Platoon of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Negros Occidental, Cauayan Police Station operatives and elements of the PA’s 79th Infantry Brigade swooped down on and nabbed members belonging to a criminal gang led by Richard Alter and Richie Villanueva. The gang is reportedly responsible for the series of hold-ups, robbery, rape and other crimes in the area.

According to Cauayan Chief of Police, Supt. Frederick Miad, the notorious gang is the subject of common complaints of town residents.

In a radio interview, Negros Occi- dental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) head, Senior Supt. Samuel Nacion reported that they had stepped up the monitoring of the movement of the AlterVillanueva gang particularly after they received reports that the gang was going to attack someone in Cauayan.

The NOPPO started conducted check points and conducting reconnaissance patrol with the Army. The operation hit bull's eye when they encountered the criminal gang last Wednesday in Barangay Baclao. There was an exchange of gunfire which resulted in the death of a certain Richmael Noble, 27, alias “Tonton”, a member of the gang. Noble died at the scene of the gunfight while Alter and Villanueva, said to have been both wounded, were able to escape towards Sitio Lanit, Purok 2, Barangay Baclao.

Other members of the group, namely Edwin Policarpio, Gilbert Baynosa, and Leo de la Rosa, were captured by the operatives.

Recovered from the suspects were two .357 caliber revolver; one .38 caliber revolver, three shotguns, and several bladed weapons.

Nacion said, “The busting of the AlterVillanueva criminal group will surely neutralize its operation in Southern Negros,” Nacion said.