March 29, 2024

Bicol Express News

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Relative of mayoralty candidate among 11 armed men caught in Castilla, Sorsogon

On early Election Day, Castilla police quick response resulted in the apprehension of eleven (11) persons in two separate vehicles when police conducted a choking point operation that blocked the escape route of the vehicles.

The 11 persons were apprehended without a firefight at Barangay Burabod by combined elements assisting the local police.

The local police were augmented by the Sorsogon PNP Provincial Mobile force aside from the assistance of Army units upon receiving information from an unidentified resident that the suspects were harassing residents of Barangay Macalaya and fired multiple warning shots.

Arrested were Christopher B, Juntanar, 45 years old; Danilo M. Balyano Jr. 40; Isidro L. Breches, 39; Ornon L. Rebuena, 55 allegedly a first cousin of a mayoralty candidate of the town; and Anthony V. Reyes, 42.

With them are Ronald L. Lasala, 53; Rebueno L. Jesus, 49; Joselito D. Laroga, 50; Manuel G. Gaton 32; Mike Adrian S. Buaron 29; and Reyan G. Larce.

Bicol Express News photo

The authorities did not disclose the specific addresses of the suspects, but most are from Sorsogon.

According to PMaj Marmay Fartingca, validation of the identities of the arrested persons are ongoing to establish their true identity since they are facing multiple cases, among them a violation of the Comelec gun ban, robbery, harassment, and physical injuries.

On the early morning of May 9, the suspects allegedly harassed Melanie Segui, Macalaya barangay treasurer, and inflicted bodily harm to SK chairman Patrick Navas, barangay elder Cristopher Bongais Luna and Dione Jasareno Macarilay, village watchman.

Aside from the cellphones, cash amounting to 129,806 pesos and the bag of the barangay treasurer, two high caliber long firearms, a sub-machine gun, seven short firearms of different models, a large number of live ammunition, magazine, cell phones, and bladed weapons taken from the suspects are now in the custody of Castilla police.