The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) recently neutralized a suspected private armed group, following the arrest of its five members in two far-flung Don Salvador Benedicto barangays.

The suspects all face murder charges.

Armando Remotigue and Antonio Baluran were arrested at Purok Odiong in Barangay Bagong Silang; Bernie Bantilan and Joel Condes were arrested in Puroks Humayan and  Estiwitis, respectively, both located within the said barangay; and murder suspect Jolito Tanoco was arrested in Sitio Magtulukod, Barangay Bago.

Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office spokesperson, Police Chief Inspector Edison Garcia, said the five are members of the Bacordo Group who are linked with the July 2017 killing of Charlie Boli-boli, a leader of the now-defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.

The New People’s Army-Roselyn Pelle Command previously claimed responsibility for the murder.

Two months later, Don Salvador Benedicto Municipal Councilor Eden Bacordo and his two companions were killed by unidentified armed men in Barangay Lopez Jaena, Murcia, Negros Occidental./DGB, WDJ