Three of the newly accused Bacolod City policemen in the 2003 kidnapping and murder of a former barangay captain in Bacolod City, are considered Absent Without Leave, Acting Bacolod police director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar yesterday said.

Quebrar said SPO1 Nelson Grijaldo, of the Bacolod City Anti-Illegal Special Operations Task Group, PO2s Dennis Belandres and Ruel Villacanas have not reported for duty since Monday.

The other accused were Insp. Bonifer Gotas, of the 3rd Provincial Mobile Group and police asset Richard "Tisoy" Salazar, court records said.

The five were added to the 16 accused in the death of Brgy. Captain Eleuterio Salabas, Maximo Lomoljo and Ricardo Suganob who were kidnapped and murdered in Bacolod City on August 2003.

Guihulngan Regional Trial Court Judge Mario Trinidad who issued their arrest warrants also denied them bail.

Meanwhile, Quebrar said the arrest warrants against the four more policemen has not affected the operations of the Bacolod City Police Office as the accused ones could be replaced with new breed of policemen.

Quebrar said he has reminded his men not to be afraid to run after criminals as long as their operation is legitimate, and should not let cases lower their morale because these are hazards of the trade.

He said he failed to hold the accused policemen for further investigation because they could no longer be found.*DMG

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