Armed person nabbed in joint army, police ops

CEBU, Philippines - An armed person was arrested in Barangay Sumon, Tuburan after joint operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, policemen from Asturias and Tuburan, Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) and the Philippine Army conducted a man-hunt operation against a Tuburan escapee and an Asturias murder suspect Friday evening.

Police and military operatives, however, were not able to locate the suspect identified as Johnny Ylanan, an escapee of Tuburan police for possession of illegal drug possession, paraphernalia and firearms in 2010, but they rather found an armed person identified as Roel Tapil, 23.

Tapil was found inside the shanty Ylanan owns, having in his possession a caliber 45 pistol loaded with seven live bullets.

Tuburan Police Station Head Superintendent Marlon Conag said they received reports that Tapil was one of Ylanan’s trusted aides.

Ylanan, who is allegedly on the run for three years now, was also the suspect in the killing of his own wife last January, according to Conag.

Asturias police were also present in the operation after receiving reports that a certain murder suspect of their station was hiding in the aforementioned place, while the Philippine Army was also present to verify the reported presence of combatants of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Mura’g all-in-one to siya nga operation, pero tanan negative,” said Conag, during phone interview with The FREEMAN.

Sumon barangay officials told the police that Ylanan and his companions already left the area for quite some time.

Conag said Tapil has been a problem in that barangay because he allegedly causes trouble when he is drunk.

“Nalipay ra sad ang mga tawo didto nga nadakpan nato si Tapil kay abusado daw ni didto,” Conag added.

The operatives are still conducting follow-up operations for the possible arrest of Ylanan and others. —  /GAN (FREEMAN)