Self-confessed member of crime syndicate seeks police protection

CEBU, Philippines - A man who claims to be a member of a local crime syndicate in Bogo City submitted himself to police custody for security reason.

Numeriano Alipogpog, 35, of Barangay Banban yesterday sought police assistance after he was allegedly chased by the members of the syndicate led by Joel Sumabong. Alipogpog claimed that he is a member of Sumabong but he already wanted to quit prompting the latter to hunt him down.

According to Alipogpog, his former comrades in the syndicate tried to kill him yesterday but he was lucky to have escaped. Alipogpog told Bogo City police chief Ceferino Tabay that he ran for his life from Barangay Malingin to Barangay Cayang while he engaged himself in a running gun battle with Sumabong and his goons. 

Tabay said he was informed about the incident by a public school teacher prompting them to respond and found Alipogpog.

Alipogpog said he had been with Sumabong for several years. Recently he wanted to quit to find a decent job but Sumabong refused to allow him. As an ally he was allegedly issued by Sumabong a .357 revolver and later a caliber .45 pistol.

Alipogpog however failed to surrender the firearm to the police because he allegedly threw it after running out of bullets during the shootout. 

Tabay said Alipogpog did not have any derogatory record with them. But, he can be used as witness against Sumabong, who is said to be engaged in the illegal drug business.

Alipogpog was turned over by Tabay and Bogo City Mayor Celestino Martinez to the Cebu Provincial Police Office yesterday for safekeeping.

 Sumabong is currently out on bail over a string of cases he is facing before the court. He was previously arrested by the Fuente police during a saturation drive in Barangay Sambag 1 in 2009.

He was also tagged in the 2007 Land Bank Robbery in Bogo City wherein P9.4 million was lost.

He was arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation in 2006 for murder where he posted P200,000 bail. (FREEMAN)