Dismissal of raps versus cop
who escaped recommended

The Bago City Prosecutor's Office has recommended the dismissal of the murder charges against SPO1 Melchor Villanueva who fled from the police lock-up cell on Sept. 3 for still unknown reasons, police chief Alex Belonio said.

Belonio said yesterday that he is puzzled why Villanueva, an investigator of the Ma-ao police precinct in Bago City, had bolted from the detention cell two weeks ago, although the case against him had already been recommended for dismissal.

On Aug. 26, Villanueva gave himself up to his colleagues after the Bago City Regional Trial Court issued an arrest warrant against him for the crime of murder. Police investigations showed that Villanueva shot dead a civilian who had ran amuck in Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City, in 2002.

Belonio said the incident was amicably settled by Villanueva who paid P50,000 to the family of the victim. We are now waiting for an order from the Bago City RTC to dismiss the murder case after the complainant executed an affidavit of desistance, which led the City Prosecutor's Office to recommend dismissal of the case, he added.

Belonio said he has issued a flash alarm to all police units in Negros Occidental to arrest Villanueva if he is sighted.*GPB

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4 nabbed for illegal fishing

Four fishermen were arrested for illegal fishing yesterday by a combined team of policemen and Bantay Dagat operatives in the waters of Brgy. Punao in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.

Supt. Ricardo de la Paz, police chief of San Carlos, said the four were caught in the act of engaging in "electromagnetic fishing" at Brgy. Punao in San Carlos City. They were identified as Diosdado Cabaylo, Jose Magdaluyo, Jenifer Dinapo and Domingo Sarmiento, all residents of Brgy. Panubigan, Canlaon City, Oriental Negros.

Seized from them were two sets 6-volt battery with electronic devices, two catching nets, one mesh net and other fishing paraphernalia.

The four were brought to the San Carlos City Police Station for investigation and will be charged for violation of Section 88 of RA 8550, or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998, de la Paz said.*GPB

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Man hacks partner in jealous fit

A woman was hacked by her 26-year-old live-in partner in a fit of jealousy in Brgy. Puhagan, Valencia, Oriental Negros, last week.

Police identified the suspect as Ople Venzuelo, a farmer, and the victim, who is now recuperating at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City as Vilma Ponce, 29, single. Both reside in Sitio Tamsi, Puhagan.

A Valencia police report said that before 7 p.m. on Sept. 12 when the incident happened, the couple went to a store and the woman bought some cigarets. She was, however, delayed, and when she finally returned, Venzuelo confronted her in a fit of jealous rage.

When their argument heated up, Venzuelo allegedly pulled out his bolo and hacked the woman, hitting her on the shoulder. She managed to flee and seek help, however.

Neighbors rushed her to the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital in Dumaguete City. The farmer surrendered to Brgy. Kagawad Angeles Sarita, Jr. of Puhagan who turned him over to the Valencia police station.

Meanwhile, a farmer was almost beheaded for stealing the chickens of his neighbor also in Puhagan, Valencia.

Ricardo Insong, 34, resident of Panalaan, Bais City and temporarily residing in Puhagan, Valencia allegedly used a cane cutter in hacking his neighbor, Inovencio Banot, whom he accused of stealing his chickens, despite his promise not to do it again.

Insong said Banot had also promised in April this year before the barangay that he will no longer steal his chickens.

Insong said he regretted his actions, as he is now facing criminal charges for hacking Banot, and their wives are relatives.*RG/JG

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