Alleged rob group leader nabbed

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police intelligence operatives arrested the alleged leader of a robbery group in Cauayan, Negros Occidental on Sunday.

Police Major Lowell Garinganao, town police chief, said they collared Francisco Epogon, 30, of Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City.

Epogon is wanted for robbery with violence against or intimidation of persons.

Kabankalan City Regional Trial Court Branch 61 Judge Rodney Magbanua ordered Epogon’s arrest with P100,000 bail for his provisional liberty.

Garinganao said that the warrant stemmed from a robbery incident in the town allegedly perpetrated by Epogon’s group in 2019.

Police recovered a hand grenade inside the suspect’s backpack.

Garinganao said that the suspect was the alleged leader of the notorious Epogon robbery group based in the town which was organized in 2016.

Epogon allegedly replaced a relative in leading the group after the latter was previously arrested. The group also allegedly operated in Panay.

Garinganao said that some members of the group were already convicted while others were also arrested.

“But, there are still more than 10 members who are at large,” he added.

The group’s modus is to stake out their subjects before robbing a house or office. They also poison the dogs or other pets of their victims to avoid being detected.

They use long firearms and escape onboard motorcycles or cars.

The group was linked to the two recent robberies in Cauayan and Kabankalan City. They are also the suspects in the robbery and death of a Belgian national here.

Police Colonel Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), who traveled to Cauayan that night to see the suspect, said Epogon revealed vital information to the police, but he refused to elaborate while investigation and validation are ongoing.

Biñas said that Epogon will be presented to a witness in the Belgian national’s case via police lineup.

Meanwhile, charges for illegal possession of explosives were filed against Epogon.