Armed group neutralized
BACOLOD CITY — An armed group — consisting of nine members engaged in gun-for-hire, extortion and hold-up activities, in the hinterlands of Calatrava town and neighboring areas in northern Negros — has already been considered by the police as dismantled and neutralized, with the death of its leader and two others, as well as the capture of three members.
Chief Inspector John Joel Batusbatusan, Calatrava Police chief, yesterday said there are only three members left on the armed group led by Sabino Mancao, alias Kadong, who and two others were killed Friday last week.
The group of Mancao engaged in an encounter with troopers of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-6 (RMFB-6) in rebel-infested Barangay Cambayobo, about 40 kilometers from the town proper.
The RMFB-6 also recovered six firearms from the slain and captured suspects. The three captured suspects — identified as Romnick Octavio of Barangay Carabalan, Himamaylan City; Pepe Lausa, of Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava; and Josie Castor of Brgy. Bug-ang, Toboso — were charged yesterday for illegal possession of firearms and violation of the Comelec gun ban before the San Carlos City Prosecutor’s Office.
Batusbatusan disclosed that Mancao, a former member of the New People’s Army, has a pending arrest warrant for the crime of murder.
Calatrava Mayor Araceli Somosa and Toboso Mayor Richard Jaojoco were thankful over what they described as the “neutralization” of the armed group, including its leader, operating in the boundary of the two towns.
Jaojoco, who had been urging authorities to neutralize the criminal activities of the armed group ever since, said that Calatrava and Toboso towns are “now at least free from the criminal group,” although there are still remnants of the group.
Somoso, for her part, said she is happy by the neutralization of the criminal gang, emphasizing that she always wanted to ensure the safety and security of her constituents.
Calatrava and Toboso are among the four towns in Negros Occidental being closely monitored by the Philippine National Police due to the series of killings in the past several weeks.
Meanwhile, Batusbatusan confirmed the existence of another armed group led by Arnie Solitas, also a former NPA member, who figured in a shootout on Good Friday last month with the group of Mancao in Barangay Malatas, Calatrava.