Cops raid Epogon’s house, ‘shabu’, explosives seized

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental police confiscated P12,000 worth of suspected shabu, a gun, explosives, and ammunition from a house of an alleged member of notorious Epogon robbery group at Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

Police Major Alvimar Flores of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), said the subject of the raid was the house of 35-year-old Joel Epogon.

However, Epogon was not at home when the search was conducted. The raid was witnessed by Epogon’s partner and two barangay officials.

Authorities seized during the search four sachets of suspected shabu, a rifle grenade, a hand grenade, an airgun rifle, a barrel and four live .22 caliber ammunition, a live ammunition and short magazine of an M16 rifle, and an empty magazine of an M14 rifle.

Flores said that Joel is the brother of Francisco Epogon, an alleged leader of the crime group, who was earlier arrested in Cauayan town, where the group was reportedly based.

Another suspected member of the group was also arrested in Silay City early this month.

Police earlier said that the crime group was responsible behind the robbery incidents in the province, particularly in the area of the sixth district.

Flores said that less than 10 members of the group are being subjected to manhunt operation by the provincial police force.