Former ‘hukbong’ head arrested in Arayat

CAMP OLIVAS -- The former “supremo” of the so-called Hukbong Mapagpalayang Bayan and seven others were arrested by combined police operatives during a raid in Barangay Cupang, Arayat town.

Seized from the suspects were several high-powered firearms and ammunitions.

Regional Public Information Office (RPIO)-Central Luzon Chief Karen Clark said operatives of the Intelligence Group from the national headquarters in Camp Crame, Regional Public Safety Battalion and Arayat police swooped down on the houses of Emmanuel Bonifacio “Bon” Alejandrino and Melvin Alejandrino, 24, both of purok 3, Barangay Cupang; and Jose Tungol, Barangay Matamo chief, in Arayat town.

The raiding team was armed with search warrants issued by Executive Judge Marino dela Cruz of the Regional Trial Court National Capital Region Judicial Region when they conducted the raids.

Seized from the house of Alejandrino were two M-16 rifles, one M-14 rifle, five .45 caliber pistols and a .38 caliber revolver. Recovered from the younger Alejandrino were an air rifle and two rounds of live ammunition for super .38 revolver.

Police discovered from the residence of Tungol one .45 caliber pistol and hundreds of assorted live ammunition.

Also arrested were Mark Anthony Mamawan, 18, of Barangay Kapanikian, Capas, Tarlac; Demetriu Sulit-Lajom, 52, of Barangay Tenajero, Candaba town; Ferdinand dela Cruz, 35, of Baliuag, Bulacan; Anthony Dizon, 28, of Barangay Sinipit, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija; Wawie Tioson, of Barangay Lagundi, Mexico town; and Manny Alejandrino, 24.

All the seized firearms underwent ballistics examination at the Crime Laboratory Office-Central Luzon.

The arrested suspects are presently detained at the Regional Public Safety Battalion Office-Central Luzon for further investigation and documentation, police said.

It was not mentioned in the report if the confiscated firearms were licensed.

Bon Alejandrino also has a standing warrant of arrest for robbery docketed under CC number 399-M-91, issued by RTC Bulacan 3rd Judicial Regional branch 18-Malolos City.

Sometime in 2008, Alejandrino voluntarily surrendered his firearms to Chief Superintendent Nilo dela Cruz, then former Police Regional Office-Central Luzon director. He was also released then.

Alejandrino was accompanied by his wife, daughter and some barangay officials of Barangay Cupang when he was taken to this camp.

Sources said Alejandrino is running again for mayor in Arayat under the Liberal Party (LP), while concurrent Arayat Mayor Luis Espino is running for his last term under Kambilan party.

According to residents in Arayat, Alejandrino is soft-spoken and compassionate in helping and promoting the well-being of the people in his communities.

“Marami po siyang natutulungan dito sa amin lalu na sa aming mahihirap na inaapi. Kaya nalungkot po kami sa nangyari sa kaniya,” a resident here who requested not to be identified said.

Alejandrino is also known to locals as “Robinhood” for his charity works. (Ric Sapnu/Herbert Mapiles)