2 escapees reportedly hiding in island cave

Authorities are now looking for two escapees from Biliran reportedly hiding in a cave on the property owned by former governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña in barangay Carnasa, an island off northern Cebu, which is part of the municipality of Daanbantayan.

Carnasa barangay captain Jose Moreno said that the unidentified escapees came from Cawayan, Biliran province and were first reported almost a week ago after resident told him about men asking them for food at gunpoint.

“Mao pay mangayo, mani-on pa gyud,” Moreno quoted one of his constituents as saying.

He later learned the two escapees when he was called by authorities from Biliran province asking him to inform them if there were suspicious persons in the island.

Carnasa Island can be reached by boat from the western side of Leyte provinces.

After they got the report, Moreno ordered his barangay tanods to conduct a surveillance on the alleged hideout of the armed men.

It was later found out that the armed men are hiding in a cave on the property of the former governor who owns three-fourths of the total land area of Carnasa Island, according to Moreno.

Moreno said that they already informed Osmeña’s guards about the presence of escapees inside his property but as of yesterday afternoon they had not gotten back to him with any development.

Moreno added that he will also coordinate with police in Daanbantayan and Biliran province. — Gregg M. Rubio/BRP