BACOLOD City – Two town mayors expressed relief over the neutralization of an armed group operating in the hinterlands of northern Negros Occidental.
Toboso mayor Richard Jaojoco and Calatrava mayor Araceli Somosa said the presence of the Mancao armed group in their towns caused them problems.
The Mancao armed group was responsible for robberies, extortion and gun-for-hire activities in the towns, the mayors said.
On May 4, elements of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 6 led by Chief Inspector Yolando Lago Jr. and Senior Inspector Ryan Villasario chanced upon the group, resulting to a shootout.
According to the police, Sabino Mancao led the group.
Mancao was alleged to be a former New People’s Army member who turned into a bandit.
Mancao and armed group members Imar Himang and Ramel Castor were killed in the encounter.
Police also arrested Pepe Lausa, Jose Castor and Romnick Octavio, suspected members of the armed group.
Firearms and ammunition were confiscated from them, too.
Three other suspected armed group members, on the other hand, managed to escape.
According to Jaojoco, he had been urging local authorities to neutralize the armed group.
“I am thankful that the Mancao group was finally neutralized,” Jaojoco said. “At least, the hinterlands are now free from the criminal group, though some members might be still around.”
The presence of the armed group in his town is also one of the reasons that Jaojoco wants Toboso to be an election watchlist area.
Jaojoco said some politicians hire the armed group to intimidate voters during election period./PN
