CRIME ‘Anting-anting’ doesn’t stop man from getting caught

His amulets and incantations didn’t make him invisible from authorities.

A man wanted for the murder of a barangay councilman was caught in Sitio Taganas, Barangay San Marcos, Placer, Masbate last Wednesday.

Edgar “Eddie Hiwi” Tumara, 57, the top 2 most wanted person in Medellin, was arrested for killing Iluminado Ybañez, who served as the barangay councilor of Maharuhay, during an electoral campaign, in 2013.

“He was confident that he wouldn’t get caught because of his anting-anting. But the you cannot get away from the law using those amulets,” Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Jose Espino said.

Tumara was allegedly infamous in their barangay for using anting-anting and agimat when stealing from neighbors.

The operation was headed by the Regional Special Operations Group (Rsog) last Wednesday evening using warrants of arrest for murder and frustrated murder issued by Judge Antonio Marigomen of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Bogo City.

Bettie Ybañez, the incumbent barangay councilor of Maharu- hay, Medellin and Iluminado’s wife, said they have been looking for justice for Iluminado’s death.

“My husband served our barangay for 25 years. While I was on the microphone with him during the campaign, Eddie was beside him and shot him,” she said.

In an interview, Tumara said he killed Iluminado out of spite.

“He held a grudge against me. No one hired me to kill him,” he told reporters.

Police said Tumara used his amulets and Latin chants to hypnotize women into letting him inside the house and stealing things without getting caught.