City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz identified him as Joseph Basco Lontayao, 41, of Brgy. Fatima, in General Santos City.

De la Paz said a concerned citizen informed police station 3 that a group of suspicious-looking men were sighted near the Palawan Pawnshop at Bangga C.P. in Brgy. Bata.

He said Station 3 policemen led by Senior Insp. Jose Mulleta then went to the area at about 11:30 a.m. Thursday and arrested Lontayao as he was about to board a jeepney, but his companions evaded arrest.

When confronted Lontayo, introduced himself as a police inspector but when he was asked for proof, he presented an identification card showing that he is only a Police Officer 2, De la Paz added.

During interrogation, Lontayao admitted that he is a former member of the Special Action Force of PNP with bomb expertise and that he is in the city to sell medicines.

Identification cards, one of them showing that he is a medical doctor, were recovered from Lontayao during his arrest, police records showed.

Investigation also showed that he has arrest warrants for acts of lasciviousness and is facing cases for frustrated parricide, murder and homicide.

De la Paz said they want to know what is he doing here and whether he is involved in the CENECO robbery. He said that Lontayao and a certain “Joseph Calaramo”, who is suspect in the CENECO robbery, have similar profiles.

Lontayao is now detained at Police Station 3 and will face charges for usurpation of authority.

The City Police also met with the Regional Intelligence Unit, Military Intelligence Group, the Highway Patrol Group and the Special Operations Group to discuss Lontayao’s arrest.*APN

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