Police getting ready for fraternity violence

Bracing for the resumption of bloody violence between warring fraternities Alpha Kappa Rho and Tau Gamma Phi, acting city police director Melvin Gayotin ordered the strict implementation of beat patrols in barangay Sambag 1.

During the weekly Oplan Pakigsandurot meeting on Monday, Gayotin has vowed to tackle the possible resurgence of fraternity war in Sambag 1, saying that barangay captain Jerry Guardo should do something over the problem.

Elements from the Mobile Patrol Group will also be deployed in the area.

The other day, information technology sophomore Janele Anthony Espinoza was shot in the head by unknown attackers while standing along Aznar Road in front of an eatery. The victim was rushed to the nearby Sacred Heart Hospital, but died few hours later.

Homicide chief Mario Monilar yesterday confirmed earlier speculations that the perpetrators were members of Tau Gamma, but he refused to name names pending the filing of murder charges.

Monilar said they are now in the process of collecting evidence and pursuing witnesses in the case.

Gayotin said the public should report to the police youngsters who would loiter in the area because this might create trouble.

Animosity between Akrho and Tau Gamma started over 15 years ago, but was halted during the stint of then regional police director Avelino Razon when a peace agreement was forged in February 2002.

But then clashes between the two fraternities have occurred, prompting Mayor Tomas Osmeña to gather the leaders of both groups for another peace accord.

But two years ago, the accord suffered a huge blow when Akrho provincial chapter vice president Romulo Romero, Jr. was killed by alleged members of Tau Gamma along Sanciangko Street.

The following day, former Tau Gamma chapter president Jayber Oyon-Oyon was arrested over the murder. The case is still pending in court.

But despite all these, leaders of both groups have agreed to settle their animosities in court.