2 cops in De Oro summary executions are missing

PO1 Jun Reil Barrientos

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines—Two of the policemen tagged in the summary execution of three persons here last week had gone missing and were declared absent without leave (AWOL).

Senior Supt. Faro Antonio Olaguera, city police chief, said a warning had also been issued against PO1 Jun Reil Barrientos and PO1 Manuel Quipanes that they would be hunted down as fugitives from the law unless they turned themselves in immediately.

The two policemen, along with two junior police officers, a lawyer and several others, were charged with multiple murder and frustrated murder for the killing on Dec. 10 and 12 of siblings Roland and Harold Jamaca, and Ma. Erica Yabut. The fourth victim and Yabut’s boyfriend, Jim Jamaca, survived the executions.

Jim is cousin of Roland and Harold.

Olaguera admitted that no warrant had been issued against all the suspects yet but he wanted Quipanes and Barrientos to yield to his custody.

Two other officers—Senior Insp. Ludwig Charles Espera and Insp. Arnel Gighe—are now in police custody and had been disarmed.

“After the preliminary investigation, when the warrant is released, the officers and other coaccused will be placed under arrest,” Olaguera said.

He said Barrientos and Quipanes have until midnight Saturday to yield.

PO1 Manuel Quipanes.

“I am giving them until today (Saturday) to surrender,” he said.

As this developed, lawyer Marlon Yap denied any hand in the killing. It was Jim who said that one of the vehicles used by the suspects is owned by Yap.

Yap admitted that the black car that Jim referred to belongs to him but added that he just lent it to Quipanes.

He also admitted personally knowing Quipanes.

A police source, who did not want to be identified, said the Jamaca brothers might have been killed due to their first-hand knowledge of the criminal activities of the four policemen.

Prior to their deaths, they were active police assets.

The source said there have been reports the four policemen-suspects were involved in the reselling of drugs confiscated during raids. But he said the information is still being validated. Bobby Lagsa, Inquirer Mindanao