2 more suspects tagged in NegOr police slay nabbed

By: Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The PNP Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB)-7 and the Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (IB) arrested in separate operations last Saturday two more suspects in the killing of four members of the RMFB-7 in Ayungon, Negros Oriental two weeks ago.

Police identified the suspects as Edmar Acibo Amaro and Jojo Torres Ogatis.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Edelberto Euroba, public information officer of Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (Norppo), said the two suspects were spotted at Sitios Yamot and Sook in Barangay Mabato, respectively, while the police and Army were conducting combat operations against the New People’s Army (NPA) in the village.

Ogatis was arrested while he was on his way to his wedding reception.

Euroba said a witness identified Ogatis as one of the alleged suspects behind the murder of the four policemen at the said village on July 18.

“According sa witness may kinalaman daw siya sa nangyaring ambush,” Euroba said.

Meanwhile, the witness also alleged that Amaro was present when the killing happened.

However, Euroba said both suspects will still have to undergo tactical investigation.

Authorities recovered from Amaro a backpack, a rifle grenade, a .38 caliber with three live ammunitions, a pair of combat shoes, a uniform with “PKP 50” print, identification cards, and other personal belongings.

Their arrest came three days after three persons tagged behind the same incident were arrested at Badian, Cebu on July 31.

As of August 3, Euroba said eight suspects behind the ambush slay were already arrested.

Victoriano Anadon Jr., who allegedly hogtied the slain policemen, was the first suspect to be arrested after police confirmed his links with the NPA.

Euroba said more than 20 suspects were allegedly linked behind the police killing perpetrated by the NPA.