By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
Three armed suspects were killed, while three others were arrested, after members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion-Region VI (RPSB-6) recently clashed with armed bandits in a far-flung area of Barangay Cambayobo, Calatrava, Negros Occidental.
Police identified the fatalities as Sabino Mancao, Ramil Castor, and Emar Himang; while those captured were Romnick Octavio, Pepe Lausa, and Josie Castor.
Three other members of the armed group, however, managed to escape.
Calatrava municipal police chief, Police Chief Inspector John Joel Batusbatusan, said they recovered two improvised .357 revolvers and a .38 caliber revolver from the suspects.
A KG 9 automatic pistol, a 12-gauge shotgun, a 38-caliber revolver, and assorted ammunition were also recovered from the scene.
Investigations by police showed RPSB-6 members, led by Police Chief Inspector Yolando Lago Jr. and Police Senior Inspector Ryan Villasario, were conducting operations when they encountered the bandits. Initially, RPSB-6 believed they were engaging with New People’s Army (NPA) rebels; however, on Saturday, they discovered the suspects were part of an armed bandit group operating in the area and are engaging in extortion and other criminal activities.
Calatrava police said Mancao used to be a member of the NPA, but was later expelled for an unspecified reason.
Batusbatusan said Mancao’s group was involved in a shootout last month with another armed group, reportedly led by another former NPA rebel in Calatrava.
However, Lausa said he and Mancao only went to the area to join a cockfighting event the next day.
He said the house where they stayed is owned by the barangay captain, identified as Litecia Hubahib. Although she admitted to knowing Mancao, Hubahib claimed she does not live in the house, which serves as a parking area for her vehicle.
Meanwhile, Mancao’s live-in partner, Josie, admitted the recovered firearms were owned by her partner, but denied he was involved in extortion.
The bodies of the fatalities will undergo autopsies while criminal charges are set to be filed against the captured./DGB, WDJ