By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – The Police Station 9 here is probing the link of a slain tricycle driver to the notorious Epogon robbery group operating in Negros Occidental.
Eduardo Cataraja, 55, was gunned down by three unidentified armed men inside his house at Barangay Cabug around 10PM Monday, according to Lieutenant Lanie Deriada, head of Police Station 9.
Police recovered from the scene eight fired cartridges of .45-caliber ammunition, a .56-caliber ammunition, a cellular phone, face mask, wallet containing identification cards, assorted documents, and PHP1,521 cash.
Deriada said they received information about the victim’s alleged links to the robbery group, but it is still subject for verification.
Deriada said they are exploring all possible angles behind the killing.
Deriada said Cataraja had been residing in the said village for five years now.
“Mabuot man da siya suno sa neighbors,” she added.
Colonel Manuel Placido, director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said they will conduct an in-depth investigation to determine if the allegation against the victim is true.
“Iyong lugar na pinangyarihan, hindi siya ordinaryo, mahirap pumasok doon, nagsisiksikan ang mga bahay, but there’s something between the suspect and the victim, and dapat pa naming alamin ang personality ng biktima at imbestigahan ng malalim ang insidente,” Placido said.
When asked about reports that the victim had allegedly sheltered a member of the Epogon robbery group, Placido said they have to investigate the claim.
“Siguro may nababalita, nagkataon siguro na napatira doon. Iyong mga tao may naka identify siguro, pero hindi naman natin pa masabi at isa iyon sa mga tinitiningnan natin,” Placido said.
‘NOT ALARMING’
Meanwhile, Placido said that the recent shooting incidents in the city is not alarming.
The Cabug incident was the sixth incident reported here this month.
“Nangyayari iyan, pero may motibo at doon ako interesado na alamin,” he said.
‘SURRENDER’
Colonel Romy Palgue, director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here, has urged members of the Epogon robbery group and other criminal groups to surrender as early as possible to avoid armed confrontation.
Palgue made the statement after 25-year-old Eddie Epogon, an alleged leader of the Epogon robbery group, was killed after he purportedly resisted police operatives during the service of arrest warrants at his house in Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on February 20.
“I hope this will send a message sa kanila na habang may oras pa, puwede na silang sumuko kasi may mga warrant naman sila. Habang buhay pa sila, may pag-asa pa sila,” Palgue said.
Palgue warned them that they should not wait for the authorities to subject them to police operation, as they are willing to help them if they surrender.
“Kung gusto nila sumuko, may hotlines naman ang kapulisan, let us know para matulungan pa namin kayo mag bagong buhay,” he said.
Calling them to cooperate and coordinate with the police Palgue added “baka madali pa sila sa operation, sayang buhay nila, ayaw naman natin mangyari ang ganoon sa kasamahan nila.”
He also encouraged the public to help the police by reporting any suspicious individuals or those whom they know might be involved in illegal activities and crimes.
He said there are still remaining members of the Epogon robbery group, as they would recruit a new leader if their colleague will be neutralized.
He assured these crime groups that police will continue their legitimate operations against them for a peaceful province.
