Village chief’s killer arrested after 16 years on the run

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A Capiz native wanted for the 2009 killing of a village chief in Barangay Quios, Panitan was arrested on Saturday, September 6, in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

The Capiz Police Provincial Office (CPPO) identified the suspect as Orlando Pionelo, 51, of Barangay Quios, Panitan, Capiz.

He was apprehended by operatives of the Regional Intelligence Unit of Police Regional Office–MIMAROPA in Barangay Santa Isabel, Calapan City, based on a warrant of arrest issued by the late Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Juliana Azarraga of Branch 15, Roxas City.

No bail was recommended for Pionelo’s temporary liberty.

He was transferred from Calapan City to Roxas City on Tuesday, September 9, and is now under the custody of the Capiz Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Lawaan.

Pionelo was one of two suspects in the ambush of then-Punong Barangay Rolando Besorio in November 2009.

Reports said Besorio sustained three gunshot wounds to the head and was declared dead on arrival at Bailan District Hospital.

Besorio had replaced former Barangay Captain Dante del Mendo, who was also shot dead a year earlier during a benefit dance at the same location.

Del Mendo had been suspended for several months following accusations of neglect of duty filed by Besorio and other members of the barangay council.

As the top-ranking kagawad, Besorio assumed the post during the suspension and was later appointed permanently after Del Mendo’s death.

Police said Pionelo admitted to the crime and had been relocating over the years to evade capture.

He is expected to be turned over to the Panitan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.