BCPO eyes bounty
vs. 2 fugitive cops

The PNP is eyeing a cash reward for informants who provide details that lead to the arrest of PO2's Dennis Belandres and Ruel Villacanas who were implicated in the shooting of a 20-year-old on Saturday, Bacolod City Police Office director Senior Supt. Ronilo Quebrar said yesterday.

Quebrar said they will coordinate with the PNP regional command to see if putting up the reward fund is possible, because the incentive could help get the needed information to pinpoint where the two former police officers are hiding.

Belandres and Villacanas were tagged in the fatal shooting of Ruliben Leganipa in Hacienda Bilbao, Brgy. Punta Mesa, Manapla, Negros Occidental on May 19.

They also have standing arrest warrants along with 10 other former PNP men for the kidnap-slay of former Brgy. Capt. Eleuterio Salabas, of Pahanocoy, Bacolod; Maximo Lomoljo Jr., and Ricardo Suganob in 2003. Quebrar also called on the suspects to surrender because, he said, their activities are hurting the image of their former colleagues who are still in active service.*PP

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Man knifes neighbor
for killing of brother

Feelings of guilt for having done nothing about the killing of his brother led a 19-year-old man to stab his neighbor in Bacolod City yesterday.

Richard Regomez of Purok Talapia, Brgy. 3, Bacolod City, told the DAILY STAR at Police Station 2 that he stabbed Javito Talavera, 52, to avenge his brother, Wilmar, who, he said, was killed last year by Talavera and another companion. "I feel bad just doing nothing although I knew that (Talavera) had killed my brother. I felt that I had to do something," Regomez, who works as "barker", said.

Talavera sustained a stab wound on his back and is now recuperating at the Riverside Medical Center, the police said.

Regomez said that he had long harbored a grudge against Talavera after he and another suspect shot and stabbed Wilmar in 2006 over a motorcycle accident.

He said Talavera boxed Wilmar after he accidentally ran over his foot with his motorcycle.

"I thought that it was over when he punched (Wilmar). But later they shot and stabbed him," Regomez said.

He also said that Talavera had been threatening to shoot him every time they met.

Regomez said that at about 10:15 a.m. yesterday, he stabbed Talavera with a seven and a half-inch stainless kitchen knife after the victim made a phone call at a store in Purok Lubi, Brgy. 3, Bacolod City. "I was ashamed to stab him while he was still in the store so I waited for him to finish," Regomez said. His mother, Eleanor, later endorsed him to police officers who conducted a follow-up operation in the area.

Regomez also said that he did not regret stabbing Talavera and he is willing to face the possible homicide case against him. "I hope my brother is at peace now," he said.*PP

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