Iloilo City’s fugitive nabbed in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - One of the most wanted persons in Western Visayas was arrested yesterday in Barangay Guindaruhan, Minglanilla Cebu by the joint operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7, Regional Intelligence Division, Provincial Intelligence Branch and Minglanilla Police Station.

Jerry “Toto” Bitoon, 50, of Aniway, Iloilo, had been in hiding for 19 years after an arrest warrant was issued against him for kidnapping with ransom by Regional Trial Court Branch 6 Judge Julian Ereño on March 20, 1996.  Bitoon has P175,000 bounty on his head. 

 CIDG-7 director, Sr. Supt. Ritchie Posadas, said that they have conducted a weeklong surveillance against Bitoon after receiving information that the fugitive is working at a cock farm in Guindaruhan, Minglanilla.

Bitoon was involved in the kidnapping for ransom of a Chinese national in Iloilo City in 1995. He admitted his participation in the kidnapping and was able to receive P20,000 share in the ransom.

Bitoon, however, explained that his participation in the crime was limited only to lending his firearms to the group.

 â€œAng grupo nanghulam sila og pusil nako kay duna man ko sa balay unya kaila nako,” Bitoon said.

Bitoon said he used his share in the ransom to travel to Manila after the incident where he stayed for sometimes before deciding to settle in Barangay San Vicente, Bogo City where his wife came from.

Bitoon said he was offered a job four years ago as handler of the fighting cocks of a foreign national in Minglanilla where he was arrested.

According to him, he was aware of his case in Iloilo City and was expecting to be arrested anytime soon.

“Kahibalo ko nga duna koy kaso nag-expect ko nga maingon ani pero akong atubangon akong problema,” he said.

Bitoon is now detained at the CIDG-7 stockade and is expected to be remanded to the court in Iloilo City.  (FREEMAN)