Dalaguete top fugitive nabbed in Carbon area

The number one most wanted man in Dalaguete town has finally been captured Friday afternoon here in the Carbon area and is now detained at the town's jail.

A team of Carbon policemen, led by SPO4 Jose Gesto, arrested 41-year-old Absalon Tomas Vargas, a farmer of sitio Lapa in barangay Mantalongon of Dalaguete town after some of his neighbors saw him visiting his wife at the market where she was selling vegetables.

Dalaguete policeman SPO3 Edgardo Go told The FREEMAN that town police chief, Sr/Insp. Clarus Benatiro came over to get Vargas from the Carbon Police and brought the fugitive to Dalaguete where he is now incarcerated.

Go said Vargas has pending warrants of arrest, one for a frustrated murder case issued by Judge Maximo Perez in Argao town on February 2004, and another for attempted homicide issued by Judge Thelma delos Santos, of the Municipal Trial Court in Dalaguete on March 31, 2003.

Go also said Vargas has another multiple murder case recently at the provincial prosecutor's office for allegedly killing a couple in Dalaguete last February 5.

Vargas was pointed as responsible in the death of Danilo Carticiano, 39, and wife Apolonia, 46, who were with their 20-year-old son Michael in going to Mantolongon at the time.

Michael was about to drive his parents on a motorcycle but just as they left their backyard, an electrical wire that Vargas allegedly set up along the path caused the vehicle to trip as they fell and slumped on the road.

Then Vargas allegedly appeared suddenly and shot dead the couple several times. Michael survived as he quickly fled from the attack.

Police theorized that revenge over a land dispute was the motive of Vargas in allegedly killing the Carticiano couple. Months before the killing, Vargas allegedly tried to shoot Danilo but reportedly missed his target. - Flor Z. Perolina