Cops ordered to find Medellin barangay chief

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal has ordered for the conduct of a pursuit operation against a barangay captain who escaped after police raided his house in Tipolo, Medellin town the other day.

Digal, at the same time, called on neighbors of Tipolo barangay chairman Marianito “Manit” Yaun to help the police in locating him.

To recall, Yaun got arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs in November of last year in Mandaue City.

Digal also said that definitely an investigation would be conducted against Medellin Police operatives who facilitated the search warrant early morning of Tuesday.

Yaun was the subject of the search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Antonio Marigomen of Bogo City for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade. The warrant was implemented by Medellin policemen led by Insp. Bonifacio Arriesgado, chief of the Medellin Police Station.

During the operation, a team discovered a grenade, a .357 revolver with five live bullets, and some drug paraphernalia inside Yaun’s house.

But tension occurred after Yaun refused to come with the arresting police officers demanding that they have to wait first for the arrival of his lawyer.

At about this time, members of the Yaun household reportedly threatened to commit suicide if Yaun would be taken by the raiding team.

But when his lawyer arrived at about 2 p.m., Yaun went inside his house and sneaked out through the backdoor.

Arriesgado admitted of the leniency on their part as they were confident Yaun would finally relent to the authorities because of the presence of his lawyer.

He said that when the lawyer allowed the operatives to take Yaun to the police station, the village chief went inside his house and was nowhere to be found afterwards. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/MEEV   (FREEMAN NEWS)