Kagawad wanted for murder falls

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – An incumbent village councilman who is wanted for murder was arrested by police in Barangay Nataban, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental last Wednesday.

Police identified the suspect as Barangay Nataban Kagawad Joel Ramas, 53.

He is a top 1 most wanted person in San Carlos City, according to Police Lieutenant Colonel Jesus Mesahon Jr., city police chief.

Mesahon said the arrest warrant was issued by Acting Presiding Judge Reginald Mercurio Fuentebella of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 59 in San Carlos City on December 1, 2023.

The case stemmed from a shooting incident that killed the suspect’s cousin due to a land dispute in 2010.

Mesahon said the suspect filed a motion in court to reduce the case from murder to homicide so he could post bail for his provisional liberty.

However, the court later came out with a verdict for a murder case.

“This is no bail,” Mesahon said, adding that they will have to wait for a court order so that they can transfer his custody to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

The suspect was re-elected in the October 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), according to Mesahon.