Iloilo City politician taps services of convicts?
Text messages began circulating lately about a political candidate who employed convicts to advance his personal interests.
The messages were sent to local police authorities, businessmen, and other sectors of the society.
One text message identified the alleged politician, the crime group, the vehicle they are allegedly using, and their temporary lair.
“The hired men of _____ are staying at Bakers Village 4 near house of late ______ service white Vanette for registration Bacabac Group of Sara,” the text message reads. (Names deleted.—Ed.)
Bacabac Group apparently refers to be remnants of the group behind the Sara massacre who killed more than 10 people in Sara, Iloilo more than a decade ago.
Another text message reads: “Inform your candidates in Iloilo that _____ will be using convicts. When and how will he use it, we don’t know. Likewise, preventive measures should be done i.e. broadcast in media, should be done. Let us all work together to prevent the Maguindanao massacre from happening in our city.” (Name deleted.—Ed.)
According to Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) deputy chief Supt. Eugenio Espejo, they indeed monitor a suspicious group of men over the weekend.
“They were just roaming the city last Saturday and Sunday,” he added.
But Espejo did not confirm what group it was.
Although local police are mum about it, some sources pointed to the possibility that the group could be that of the Bacabac-Braga Group or the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB), or the Ilaga Group headed by convicted murder Roberto Manero, Jr. alias “Kumander Bukay.”
Manero, a native of Janiuay town, Iloilo, was granted conditional pardon during the administration of former President Joseph Estrada.
In January 2008, former Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. signed the release papers of Manero, who was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for killing Italian priest Tulio Favali in 1985.
However, a member from the RPA-ABB group Karapali Lualhati faction denied that they have anything to do with any politician in Iloilo City.
Instead, the member claimed that some politicians just want to ruin the RPA-ABB’s name.
Meanwhile, Espejo also confirmed that they are keeping a tight of a group operating in Iloilo City.
The group is seen in areas like LJ Ledesma, Bankers Village, Brgy. Luna, Brgy. Balantang, and Brgy. MV Hechanova in Jaro district.
Amid this perceived threat for a peaceful election, Espejo said that they are prepared to take on the group lest they do something unlawful.
He added that they have been conducting pro-active measures like intensifying their intelligence operations and conducting checkpoints.
