Alleged gun-for-hire gang member falls

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A young man facing a murder charge was arrested in a pension house in Barangay 32 here last Saturday.

Police identified the suspect as Jonathan Divinagracia, alias “Atan,” 21, of Purok Sigay, Barangay 2 here.

Police Major Ramel Sarona, head of Police Station 1, said that Divinagracia is an alleged member of a gun for hire group here.

He was also reportedly involved in illegal drugs, Sarona said.

Sarona said that it took them a few months to monitor the suspect, as he would transfer from one place to another.

The arrest warrant with no bail recommended was issued by Presiding Judge Amcel Mercader of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 48 here on May 4, 2022.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that Divinagracia was linked to three killings here and in the province.

Gabana said the suspect was tagged in the killing of a 27-year-old man in Pontevedra town on Dec. 25, 2021, and also linked to the deaths of a 28-year-old resident of Barangay Granada here, and a 40-year-old man in Barangay 2 on January 26, 2022, and February 23, 2022, respectively.

Gabana said the suspect was allegedly tasked to neutralize suspected assets.

“Gun for hire siya kag siya ang ginasugo manumba sa mga suspected assets,” he said.

Gabana said the suspect’s companion was already arrested by Police Station 2 in August last year.

Divinagracia is now detained at Police Station 1.

Sarona said they are waiting for the other arrest warrants of the suspect and they are checking his background.