Headless body dug in Consolacion

CEBU, Philippines - A headless body was unearthed by the police yesterday morning in the mountain barangay of Tulo-Tulo in Consolacion town.

The body is believed to be that of Ramil Apa, an alleged member of a group who shot and killed PO3 Alberto Datu in Barangay Talamban, Cebu City on February 12.

His head was also found buried some two kilometers away from where the police found his body.

Two special units of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO)  arrested three men who are believed to be behind the death of beheading of Apa.

They are identified as Norman Colina, 47, the alleged leader of the Bihag Group, his son Niko Colina, 22, and Elmer Tapayan alais Bentot, 23.

Police recovered two KG9 pistols, a caliber .38 revolver and camouflage attire from Norman’s house.

The police are tracking down the other members of the group namely, Rolando Agua alias Ondo, Miguel Nahuman Bihag and his cousin, Miguel Cantago Bihag.

The Bihag cousins are facing murder charges in relation to Datu’s death.

Cebu City Police Office Director Mariano Natuel said Apa’s wife, Yolanda, reported to the police that her husband has been missing since February 13.

An informant told the police to check Colina’s house in Consolacion as Apa went there to confront him about something.

“Our theory is, Apa wanted to leave the group because Datu was his friend. The Bihag cousins sensed it and they ordered Norman to kill Apa,” Natuel said.

Datu, who was assigned in the Regional Police Holding and Accounting Unit of the Police Regional Office 7, was eating at a roadside eatery when an unidentified gunman shot him dead.

Yesterday, elements of the City Intelligence Branch led by Chief Insp. Romeo Santander and the Homicide Section headed by SPO2 Jay Yballe proceeded to Barangay Tulo-Tulo, which is kilometers away from the national highway.

A witness led the police to the place where Apa’s headless body was buried which is about 50 meters from Colina’s house.

Some members of the team arrested the Colinas at their house who tried to escape upon seeing the police.

Then, they picked up Tapayan who led the police to the place where they buried Apa’s head.

The police recovered a cal. 357 revolver and a hand grenade from the utility box of the motorcycle he was driving.

Tapayan, who works as a motorcycle-for-hire driver, was allegedly bothered by his conscience that prompted him to confess  to the police where they buried Apa’s head.

The suspects are detained at the CCPO stockade while appropriate charges against them are being prepared.

The Colinas denied any participation in the death of Datu and Apa. (FREEMAN)