Two fugitive policemen implicated in the kidnap-slay of a former Bacolod barangay captain and his two companions and also linked to the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old in Manapla, Negros Occidental, during the weekend, are facing more criminal complaints.

PO3 Nicolas Lopez of the Manapla police, yesterday said they are now consolidating the affidavits of witnesses for the filing of murder charges against the fugitive policemen identified as PO2 Dennis Belandres and PO2 Ruel Villacanas.

Belandres was tagged as a suspect in the fatal shooting of Ruliben Leganipa, 20, in Hacienda Bilbao, Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla on Saturday.

Villacanas and Belandres, who used to be assigned at the Bacolod City Police Office, have pending arrest warrants against them for kidnap-slay of former Pahanocoy Brgy. Capt. Elueterio Salabas, Maximo Lomoljo Jr. and Ricardo Suganob.

Police investigations also showed that not only Villacanas and Belandres, whose grandfather is the overseer of Hacienda Bilbao, are hiding in the place, but also of SPO3 Freddie Natividad and PO1 Bernard Cimatu. However, Natividad and Cimatu have transferred to another hiding place later, police also said.

Villacanas and Belandres had reportedly tried to pacify the victim and his brother, Mark, who were engaged in heated altercations. However, it was not determined yet by the police how Leganipan was shot allegedly by Belandres.

Inspector Jose Laboyo yesterday maintained that he has no knowledge about the presence of the two policemen in Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla.

Laboyo, however, said they will investigate reports that PO1 Rey Ibanez, a member of the Manapla police, was seen in their company. Intelligence operatives of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office have joined the Manapla police and BCPO personnel in the operations against the fleeing policemen.*GPB

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