Isabela, Basilan’s fugitive evades arrest; arms cache seized

ZAMBOANGA CITY –– A top fugitive in Isabela City, Basilan slipped through a police dragnet sent to arrest him on Thursday, July 4.

Instead, police seized a cache of high-powered firearms and explosives found in his home.

Police Lt. Col. William Gadayan, Isabela City police chief, said Reynaldo Andajao Bentulan, a rubber tapper, and murder suspect, escaped past 1 a.m. as law enforcers prepared to storm his residence in Barangay Calvario.

Bentulan is third in the police list of most wanted persons in Isabela City. He is wanted for the killing of his uncle, Edgar Gurrea Bentulan, on December 19, 2017. The warrant was issued on March 20, 2018.

“Bentulan may have sensed the presence of our law enforcers, (hence) he was able to escape,” Gadayan said.

Police Captain Benjemar Ajibon, intelligence chief of Isabela police, led the team, on the force of a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Leo Jay Principe.

Gadayan said it was a consolation that even as Bentulan escaped, Ajibon’s team recovered high-powered guns and explosives in his house.

The arresting team recovered one Garand rifle, a caliber-.30 (carbine) loaded with ammunition, a bandolier vest containing nine extra clips each containing eight ammunition, a smoke grenade, an MK2 fragmentation anti-personnel grenade, and an M61 grenade.

Gadayan said apart from a murder case, Bentulan would also face charges for violating Republic Act 9516 that penalizes the unlawful manufacture, sale, acquisition, disposition, importation or possession of an explosive or incendiary device.

Manhunt was ongoing against Bentulan, Gadayan said. (Editor: Leti Boniol)