Region’s most wanted man falls in raid

DRUNK and reckless, Fernando Dorimon accidentally let out a secret.

His confession, despite his using a pseudonym, led to his arrest late Friday night in the outskirts of Lanao Del Norte, Mindanao.

Dorimon was the most wanted person in Central Visayas, with a P300,000 bounty on his head for charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder.

Intelligence operatives raided Dorimon, 44, inside his house in Barangay Maria Christina, Baloi town at 8:30 p.m.

“He didn’t resist. He peacefully surrendered,” said Chief Insp. George Ylanan of
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7, who was part of the police team.

Dorimon’s arrest was made on the strength of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 64 Judge Mario Trinidad of Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

Ylanan, head of PRO 7’s Regional Special Operations Group, told reporters some policemen heard “loose talk” of a man who told of his act of killing some people during a drinking session.

But police had difficulty identifying Dorimon because he used “Boy Sanoy” as an alias.

Through the coordination with PRO 7, the town policemen found out the suspect was involved in a high-profile criminal case.

Elements of RSOG then went to Lanao Del Norte to serve the warrant against Dorimon last Jan. 3.

PRO 7 Director Marcelo Garbo Jr., in a press briefing, said Dorimon was charged for the fatal ambush of seven persons, including a barangay captain, and wounding five others in Barangay Manluminsag, La Libertad, Negros Oriental last March 9, 2007.

Political

The attack was allegedly politically motivated.

The victims were on board a truck owned by the town and were heading to Barangay Aya when they were peppered with bullets on the national highway.

The seven fatalities were identified as barangay captain Lydio Baylon, Rudy Maxilom, Edin Elod, Mitchille Galleposo, Judy Tuble, George Naata, Nonoy Naata.

The injured were identified as Jorlan Baylon, Edencito Beliot, Julito Dela Cruz, Ignacia Salimbagat, and Amaida Facturan.

The victims came from a two-day seminar held in a beach resort in Barangay San Jose and organized by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental and Natural Resources.

Garbo said Dorimon served as head of a gun-for-hire group with more than 20 members.

One of his cohorts, Sandalo Mongolore, had since been arrested and detained.

Dorimon, when interviewed by reporters, admitted being involved in the crime. He said he was recruited by a politician, whose name the police is withholding pending investigation.

“Wala gani klaro ang bayad. Bugas ug buwad ra akong nakuha (I was only paid with rice and dried fish),” he said.

Dorimon said he hid in Mindanao after the ambush.

“Nagmahay ko. Normal man gyud na nga reaksyon. Awit na pirmi (I regret what I did),” he said.

Supt. Louie Oppus, PRO 7 deputy director for operations, said the responding policemen will be given awards for the accomplishment.

The reward money will be given to a civilian, who informed the police of Dorimon’s whereabouts.