Political leaders of Cebu’s 5th district may schedule a dialogue with suspected cult leaders in the area in the wake of last Wednesday evening’s shootout that claimed three lives in Catmon town, north Cebu.
Provincial Board (PB) Member Miguel Antonio Magpale representing the 5th district, said mayors in the area will still have to meet with Danao City Vice Mayor Ramon “Red” Durano VI to discuss the matter.
Durano heads Bakud, the dominant political party in the district.
A policeman and two others died while two other policemen were injured in an encounter in Catmon town.
The shootout occurred following a failed robbery attempt by three armed men of a bakery in barangay Binungkalan, Catmon town.
The casualties were believed to be members of a cult which broke away from the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA).
Magpale said he is aware that a few PBMA members led by Ruben Ecleo Jr., live in the 5th district but that he could not “feel their presence” there.
“Although the PBMA members are strict followers of the Ecleo family and the group, not all of them are violent or combative,” he said.
The board member said they will have to set up a meeting with PBMA officials in the district as well.
He said the cult members have been in the area for as long as he can remember, but some of them also live in the southern Cebu.
Magpale said he remains in touch with one of the injured policemen.
SPO2 Rex Menchavez and PO2 Aaron Benjamin Arizo are recuperating from gunshot wounds.
The fatalities were PO2 Dionelio Jurbina, who was set to retire in two years, and armed men identified as Lito Tillo Gomolon from Talisay City and King Siroy Porgatorio Lusifer from Argao.
The leader of the armed group identified as Andrew Abalgar Ocasla, also from Argao but a native of Bacolod City, was arrested with a hand grenade.
“The governor, vice governor, and the provincial board quickly approved the medical and financial assistance to the policemen involved with the encounter,” Magpale said.
He was unable to give exact figures, but said the amount will be “significant enough to help them.”
Magpale said the office of Rep. Ace Durano of Cebu’s 5th district will also extend assistance.
Catmon Mayor Dan Jusay said Jurbina’s family will be given P25,000 while Menchavez and Arizo will be given P20,000 each.
In a separate interview, Jusay dismissed the possibility of the presence of armed groups in the area, particularly the New People’s Army (NPA).
“Whenever I go to the mountains, I don’t see any. We also haven’t received any reports that we have members of the NPA here,” he said. At present, Cebu is still declared insurgency-free.