Fugitive Cebu cop eludes arrest again

CEBU — For the second time, fugitive PO3 Engelberto Durano proved himself smarter than his pursuers.

Durano, who slipped out of Cebu early last month after an arrest warrant was issued for him for the murder of a tricycle driver, again escaped arrest when a team of select policemen swooped down on his hideout in a remote area in Oroquieta City over the weekend.

The team, led by intelligence chief Paul Labra II, however, found out that Durano had already fled the area when they arrived.

Labra and his men immediately left for Oroquieta after being tipped off by an informer that Durano was seen around the city.

Durano has been tagged as the principal suspect in the killing of tricycle driver Rogelio Bacalso in Barangay Busay last Dec. 22.

Durano earlier said he left Cebu after the court ordered his arrest and he was accused of trying to kill the lone 16-year-old witness to the Busay murder.

Durano claimed innocence of the charges, saying he would remain in hiding until the court decides on his petition for a review of the case.

Aside from Durano, three other persons were linked to the killing.

Of the four suspects, only Rodolfo Robles is in police custody. — Freeman News Service