BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Police Regional Office 6 said it has neutralized the Epogon robbery-hold-up group, after the death of its alleged leader on Feb. 20 in Sitio Manluy-a, Brgy. San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
Eddie Epogon, alias Tommy, 25, of Brgy. San Jose in Sipalay City, was killed in an armed encounter with police operatives during the service of his arrest warrants for robbery with homicide, and for possession of explosives and gun charges, issued by Judge Sue Lynn Lowie-Jolingan.
Lt. Col. Joem Malong, spokesperson of the PRO 6, yesterday linked Epogon to numerous robbery incidents and gun-for-hire activities in Negros Occidental, Bacolod City, and Iloilo.
Malong said Epogon was classified as a high-value individual, being the leader of a regional level criminal gang.
Initial police investigations showed that the operating team introduced themselves as police officers purposely to serve the warrants of arrest.
But the suspect opened fire at them, and this prompted the police to return fire that resulted in his death.
Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda, PRO 6 director, commended the operating troops for neutralizing the Epogon robbery-hold-up group.
Two years ago, brothers Francisco and Ruel Epogon were also intercepted and arrested by the police in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, and a .45 caliber pistol and assorted ammunition were seized from them.*
