Marañon raises bounty to P250K

BACOLOD CITY, , Philippines — Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has increased to P250,000 the cash reward for the capture of Noel Ayalin, the suspect in the killing of four councilmen and wounding of three other officials of Brgy. Kapitan Ramon in Silay City on March 6.

Ten days after the massacre, Ayalin, 48, continues to elude arrest despite the combined forces of the Negros Occidental police, the Philippine Army, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the National Bureau of Investigation to hunt him.

Last week, Marañon had set a P100,000 reward for the arrest of Ayalin, and the one-week deadline he had set for the reward lapsed Tuesday. The governor also gave authorities three days to arrest the suspect, and the deadline lapsed last Friday.

Marañon yesterday said he hoped that, with the increase in reward money, it will result in the capture of the massacre suspect so that the victims can have justice.

The governor said that, as of yesterday, there was no surrender feeler yet from Ayalin, a former barangay captain of the same barangay, who massacred the barangay officials while they were having their regular session inside the barangay hall. 

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director, said they will ask help from the DILG and other government agencies to track down Ayalin, by posting his photos in as many areas as possible.

The use of K-9 dogs, or the ones used for detecting bombs, has been considered also to track down Ayalin, said Guisihan.

The Task Group Manhunt Ayalin, which was reorganized and is now headed by Supt. Leo Erwin Agpangan, will put up a command post at Barangay Kapitan Ramon to provide direction to the pursuit operations against Ayalin, said Guisihan.

Guisihan also confirmed he requested help from the Philippine Army but only on intelligence report gathering through military assets, especially after he received raw reports that Ayalin had sought the protection of the New People's Army, even if the police official said this was not true.

"I don't think the NPA will protect a person who has committed a gruesome crime. We are asking the NPA to help us bring Ayalin to the hands of the law so that his victims can attain justice," said Guisihan, adding that there was no truth to reports that a prominent person is cuddling Ayalin.

The information the police have was that Ayalin has joined with the remnants of the Otso Oros gang, and that he is still in Silay City.

Marañon and Guisihan both warned those who may be providing refuge to Ayalin that they can be charged for harboring a person charged for murder.

The Silay City Police has filed on Friday four counts of multiple murder and one count of attempted murder against Ayalin.

Supt. Remus Zacharias Canieso, head of the Task Force that investigates the killing, said Ayalin was charged with four counts of murder for killing SK chairperson Imee Occeña, 16, and barangay councilmen Luzviminda Cotamen, 45, Freddie Juno, 58, and Pedrito Orocio, 52.

He was also charged for attempted murder for shooting but failing to hit Jeofrey Latorgo, executive officer of the Kapitan Ramon barangay tanods, Canieso said, adding that three frustrated murder charges were also readied in connection with the wounding of Barangay Captain Ramon Celebre, barangay councilman Salvacion Corugda, 42, and barangay treasurer Lenny Leorca, 34.

Last week, Marañon called on the family of Ayalin to facilitate his surrender, adding that he will give them the reward money for his arrest if they do so. If Ayalin turns himself in, he can get the reward himself, the governor said as he assured the suspect and his family of protection from possible retaliation of angry relatives of his victims. THE FREEMAN