Pagadian City, Mar 6 (PIA) -- Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse M. Robredo today ordered an investigation and arrest of suspects in the massacre incident in a remote village in Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur last Thursday.
The DILG chief specifically issued the directive to Chief Superintendent Napoleon Estilles, PNP Region 9 director.
He directed Gen. Estilles to work for the arrest and prosecution of the suspects in the massacre incident. We should not allow these armed and dangerous murderers to roam around and go scot-free,” Robredo said.
Robredo ordered Estilles to conduct manhunt operations against 10 fully armed men led by a certain Amie Andi, leader of a lawless element group operating in Zamboanga del Sur, who was tagged as responsible in the murder of six people in Sitio Bihing, Barangay Tininghalang, Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur at 5 pm Thursday.
In an interview, Estilles said the victims earned the ire of suspect Andi’s group of cooperating with Police and Army personnel during an operation in said village two weeks ago that led to his brother Commander Samang Andi’s death.
Reports said Andi and his group arrived at Sitio Bihing at about 5 pm Thursday, and started shooting and lobbing explosives to everyone in sight before fleeing the area under cover of darkness.
Initially, five people including three children died on the spot due to gunshot wounds, and they were identified as Daryl Daano, 2 years old, Henrito Bayamban, 11, Rex Langhay, 9, Jun Jun Banghulot, Raquel Langhay.
While seven others were rushed to the nearby Margosatubig Regional Hospital they were Regine Banghulot, 2 years old; Ranran Banghulot, 6; Larabelle Banghulot, 12; Judy Ann Banghulot, 14; Benedict Banghulot,10; Justine Siay, 7; and Monjour Tambagel, 15. (DILG/PIA9/CAL)
