Sunday, March 26, 2006
Suspect in murder of Monkayo mayor falls
By Ben O. Tesiorna and Bert Pacate
TANDAG, Surigao del Sur -- A rebel returnee wanted for his participation in the killing of Monkayo (Compostela Valley) mayor Joel "JB" Brillantes in Davao City last June 28, 2003 was arrested in the town of Tago, Surigao del Sur last Thursday night.
Joint operatives of the Provincial Special Operations Group and the Tago Police Station acted on information from the killer's drinking companions.
The suspect identified as Cirilo Losdo Engrova, alias Eloy, 41, New Peoples Army rebel returnee was reported boasted about his criminal exploits to his drinking buddies who in turn tipped the police.
Police Superintendent Arthur Sanchez, who led the arresting team, said Engrova is a native of Barangay Jubang, Tago town, who now resides in Barangay Panawsawon, Bayabas town.
The police collared the suspect in Barangay Sumo-Sumo, Tago town with his drinking buddies after a brief scuffle when he tried to resist arrest.
Recovered from the suspect was a fully loaded .45 cal. pistol, with one fully loaded magazine.
Brillantes was gunned down in 2003 at the Matina cockpit in Matina City, Davao del Norte.
Engrova was with conspirators Dejito Sitoy now deceased, Tiwik Cajes, and a certain policeman Escuadro, who was then assigned at the Davao City police station when they killed Brilliantes, Sanchez said.
Judge Jesus Quitain recommended no bail for Engrova and the other suspects after a five-month trial.
Engrova, however, was able to escape from jail a few months later.
When the police trailed him in a house in Barangay Tunalian, Sto. Tomas town, Davao del Norte, he eluded arrest.
(March 26, 2006 issue)
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