Arquillanos deny ‘links’ to slain Bohol policeman

CEBU, Philippines — The Arquillano brothers in the municipality of San Francisco on Camotes Islands, northern Cebu have denied reports that the slain policeman in Bohol province was once their bodyguard.

“We want to bring to your kind attention that it is not true that the victim was formerly a bodyguard of the Arquillano brothers,” read lawyer Joel Seno’s letter dated January 9, 2020 addressed to Banat News Correspondent Sheriza Mae R. Uy.

Seno is the legal counsel of San Francisco Mayor Al Arquillano and Vice Mayor Aly Arquillano.

Seno said the siblings reacted to the report that Police Corporal Arnel Bayot was formerly a bodyguard of the Arquillano brothers, who were arrested for illegal possession of firearms in April 2019.

Attached to the letter was the certification issued by San Francisco Police Station acting chief, Police Major Pedy Noval V stating that Bayot designated as alert team leader of Team B on August 8, 2018 was relieved and named as supply police non-commissioned officer on November 5, 2018.

Seno said the Arquillano brothers do not even know the victim personally.

“I am sure, may he rest in peace, the victim’s reputation precedes him without our knowledge and this hasn’t gone down well with some people or politicians and they are the one’s spreading these false stories. As a respected newspaper like yours, you should have checked twice before buying these rumors. Our side was not even solicited,” said Seno.

On January 8, 2020, TF Banat News published an article about the death of Bayot in Maribojoc, Bohol.

Bayot and his wife, Richelle, were attacked by still unidentified assailants. Bayot was killed instantly during the attack, while Richelle survived with gunshot wounds to her arm and left leg.

Investigators found 19 spent 5.56mm shells from an M16 rifle at the crime scene.

In the article, it was reported that a police officer was ambushed and killed and was believed to be a “tawo” (man) of a self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa.

The victim, was reportedly from Barangay Tinangnan, Tubigon, Bohol and part of Maribojoc Police Station.

It was further reported that the victim was formerly assigned in San Francisco Police Station, Camotes Island, Cebu prior to his transfer to Bohol. Banat News, KQD (FREEMAN)