‘GANG WAR’: Cops eye rivalry in deaths of alleged rob group members

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

 

BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) here is looking into conflict among drug groups as possible motive behind the killing of some individuals tagged as members of the notorious Epogon robbery group operating in the province.

Over the weekend, another man linked to the group was added to the list of slain Epogon members when he was gunned down by unidentified persons in Binalbagan town.

Allen Rivera, 20, of Barangay Lopez, Silay City, was gunned down by unidentified men at Barangay San Pedro last Saturday.

Based on a police report, Rivera was walking with his sibling and mother when two unidentified men who were wearing bonnets alighted from a vehicle and tailed them.

One of the assailants then shot Rivera from behind, while his two companions were able to escape.

The victim was rushed to Binalbagan Infirmary Clinic but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police recovered from the scene five fired cartridge cases of suspected .45 caliber, and a fired slug of the said firearm.

Rivera and his sibling were recently released from jail through plea bargaining for their drug offense, according to the police.

The Epogon group is believed to be involved in illegal drugs as well, aside from robbery and hold-up, according to the police.

“We are looking into the angle na sila-sila lang din naman ang nagtitirahan,” according to Police Lieutenant Abegael Donasco, Nocppo’s deputy information officer.

Donasco said that the deaths of these personalities indicate that illegal drugs will always bring harm to anyone.

“They will really be targeted. Dahan-dahan, isa-isa silang namamatay, and that means, walang mangyayari if they will involve themselves in illegal drugs,” she added.

However, Donasco noted that they have not monitored any group running after Epogon group members.

She also said that they do not support vigilante killings as it is illegal.

Earlier, Police Colonel Romy Palgue, Nocppo director, had urged the remaining Epogon members to surrender to avoid armed confrontation.

The series of killings of the alleged Epogon members happened here and in the province since February this year.