POLICE authorities have arrested 15 persons, including a former mayor and an ex-oficio councilor, who are allegedly "contract killers" in Zamboanga del Sur province, a top police official said Saturday.
Chief Superintendent Edwin De Ocampo, deputy regional director for administration, identified them as follows: Stephen Cases Acosta, former mayor of Sominot; Nemecia Quimno Pepito, ex-oficio councilor of Sominot; Arnel Quimno Pepito, the group leader; Garry Quimno Pepito; Edgar Quimno Pepito; Rey Sumalinog Pepito; Ruther Dela Torre Biawan; Allan Eturma Decierdo; Anicito Culanag Andulong; Rolando Anding Ramayrat; Romeo Batac Capangpangan; Jesryl Cabijenas Romo; Lorenzo Oñez Malayao; Roberto Tigtig Hasma; and Rolando Dahuya Andrade.
He said they belong to the so-called Pepito gun-for-hire group or contract killers led by Arnel Quimno Pepito, who has standing warrant of arrest for attempted murder issued by the court in Oroquieta City.
De Ocampo said they were arrested when police served the search and arrest warrants at Saturday dawn, May 5, in Poblacion village, Sominot town.
The police official said the arresting team have confiscated high-powered firearms consisting of two M-16 Armalite rifles; seven caliber .45 pistols; three grenades; one caliber .38 revolver; and, assorted ammunition.
He said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects who were turned over to the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Zamboanga Peninsula. (VoxPop Philippines)
