Suspect in slay escapes arrest

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – A fugitive facing separate murder charges has managed to elude arrest even as police authorities in Siaton, Negros Oriental over the weekend launched a manhunt for him and other members of an armed “religious fanatic” group that he allegedly led following the death of a supposed police informant.

Jimson “Jimmy” Enocerta who has reportedly been in hiding in Siaton since the murder of businessman Demetrio Larena III last October 20, 2011, in Sibulan, Negros Oriental, allegedly led other armed members of the Pulahan cult group last Friday in the shooting Martino Tangaro.

Tangaro, 44, single, a farmer and a resident of the hinterland village of Casalaan in Siaton, about an hour’s drive south of this capital, was killed most likely because he was perceived to be a civilian informant providing police with tips on the presence of Enocerta and other armed groups in that town, said Siaton police chief, Insp. Cresente Gurrea.

Investigation showed that Tangaro’s brother, Celestino, was with the victim when Enocerta and six others allegedly waylaid and shot them, Gurrea said. Martino died of multiple gunshot wounds while his brother, Celestino, managed to escape unharmed.

On Saturday, the Siaton police received reports of an encounter in Casalaan allegedly between Jimson Enocerta’s group and another group of unidentified men during which Enocerta was allegedly shot.

Responding policemen later found traces of blood at the Malanto Creek in Casalaan but Enocerta and his companions were nowhere to be found, said Gurrea.

According to Gurrea, an unidentified armed group of supposed disgruntled residents of Casalaan engaged Enocerta’s group, apparently no longer pleased with the latter’s purported criminal activities.

Also, some non-active members of the Pulahan cult group, particularly those unarmed, have opted to “evacuate” to safer ground to avoid being caught in the crossfire, Gurrea added.

Records show that Jimson Enocerta is facing three separate charges of murder in relation to the deaths of Larena, a barangay chief tanod (village watchman) of Malaunay in Valencia town, and a resident of Casalaan, Siaton, said Insp. Gurrea.

In the Larena murder case, Jimson or Jimmy Enocerta (also spelled Inocerta) has been charged, along with five others, to include his brother, Jerry and his wife, Espedita.

In the Casalaan case, RTC Branch 42 Judge Marie Rose Inocando Paras issued an arrest warrant against Jimson Enocerta and company, dated January 4, 2012.

Named respondents in the murder case in Casalaan are brothers Francisco and Bonifacio Caño, Neilboy Enocerta and Gene Boy Policarpio, said Insp. Gurrea.

Police have identified Jimmy Enocerta as among those believed to be members of a crime group operating in Negros Oriental. – (FREEMAN)