Monday, August 25, 2008 3rd most wanted in Sogod falls
A SEVENTEEN-year-old who is considered a northern town’s third most wanted person was arrested by a joint police and military team in a mountain barangay last Friday night.
The boy, who is now detained at the Sogod Police Station, is suspected of being part of a robbery with homicide case in June last year.
George (real name withheld) is one of five persons accused of the death of Galicano Montebon on June 28, 2007.
Montebon, who was barangay captain of Bulwang, Tuburan, was on his way to Barangay Pansoy, Sogod to buy livestock on market day.
He and his motorcycle driver were blocked in Sitio Balhin, Barangay Cabangahan, Sogod. Montebon was robbed of about P100,000 and then shot dead after he tried to flee.
Three masked men had placed bamboo poles on the road, forcing them to stop.
When the three of them appeared and declared a robbery, Montebon reportedly tried to run.
Instead, two more men stopped him and shot him.
Montebon was reportedly a familiar face in the area as he was a regular buyer of livestock.
A report submitted to the Cebu Provincial Police Office stated that the municipal government of Tuburan has offered P40,000 for the capture of each suspect of the crime.
Police have already arrested Mamerto Catapan and Abraham Brigoli Jr.
Still at large are Sonny Catapan and Ricky Preglo.
Judge Edito Enemecio of the Danao City Regional Trial Court Branch 25 issued the warrant against them and did not recommend any bail.
The team was led by Sogod Police Chief Ramon Lacno and Staff Sgt. Jose Gilbert Calubayan of the Bravo Company of the 78th Infantry Battalion.
They sought the assistance of the military because Barangay Cabalaoan in Sogod is classified as an insurgent-infiltrated village.
They were also joined by anti-crime volunteers and Barangay Councilor Cresente Roble.
It took police and members of the barangay intelligence network a month of monitoring before they finally nabbed George. (MEA)
