• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The long arm of the law finally caught up with a person described by the police as a notorious hitman, linked to numerous killings in Negros Oriental, following his arrest on August 15 in Brgy. Panala-an, Bais City.
In a statement, PBrig. Anthony Aberin, regional police director of Central Visayas, said that the apprehension of Allan Lagos Carcuevas was a product of an intelligence driven operation which was jointly conducted by intelligence operatives of the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office and its 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company.
He added that Carcuevas has past involvement in the assassination attempt of a politician in Negros Oriental, whose identity was not mentioned, and is allegedly involved in several shooting incidents in Mabinay, Bais City, and other areas of the province.
The PRO 7 statement added Carcuevas was also identified as a contact person who hires local hitmen utilized to sow fear during past elections in Negros Oriental.
Carcuevas, according to the PRO 7 Regional Intelligence Division, has previous records for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the “Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act” and Republic Act 9516, known as the “Unlawful Manufacture, Sales, Acquisition, Disposition, Importation or Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Device.”
The arrest of Carcuevas, following implementation of a search warrant, yielded a hand grenade and a .45 caliber pistol with a magazine containing seven ammunition.
Aberin said the arrest is part of PRO 7’s continuing manhunt operations against all criminals responsible for past lawlessness in Negros Oriental.
“The time for reckoning has come, and we will not stop until all responsible will be accounted for their crimes,” he added.
Last month, Alex Manegos Mayagma, an alleged hired gun tagged in several Negros Oriental killings, died during a police operation in Brgy. Malabugas, Bayawan City, after he reportedly resisted arrest.
Mayagma, according to PCol. Ronan Claravall, provincial police director, is wanted by the law for his participation in several killings in Negros Oriental.
Mayagma has been tagged by PRO 7 as the most wanted person in the entire Central Visayas region.*
