Charges for direct assault on a person in authority and frustrated murder were filed yesterday at the Bacolod City Prosecutors Office against five clan members, who ganged up on and stabbed a policeman and his friend at the Negros Occidental Provincial Lagoon Park Sunday.

The charges were filed against Edsel Esteban, 32, of Purok Kametal, Barangay Mandalagan; Joemarie Alberto, 22, of Brgy. Gahit, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental; and certain “Jamaica”, “Gorgonta” and “Mocha”, Senior Insp. Robert Dejucos, Station 2 chief, said.

Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Enrique Pinonggan said yesterday they will intensify their security at the Lagoon Park following the incident.

Police Officer 1 Ryan Lumogdang and his friend, Mitchelle Santillan, 33, of Purok Mars, Brgy. Singcang Airport, Bacolod, were strolling at the Lagoon Park at about 5:40 p.m. Sunday when they noticed a group of suspicious-looking individuals, composed of five men and seven women, whom they later discovered to be members of the Dark Demon Society clan.

Lumogdang, who was off duty and was on civilian clothes, was approaching the group when he noticed something protruding in the waistline of a clan member, Dejucos said.

The policeman scolded the clan member that eventually led to a scuffle, a police report said.

One of the suspects stabbed Lumogdang on his chest but the bladed weapon hit his dog tag instead, which apparently saved his life.

Lumogdang and Santillan, who also sustained stab wounds, were rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, where they are now confined.

Pinonggan said they are planning to add two more security guards at the park to help the two presently assigned there.

He also sought the help of Station 2 policemen in the conduct of regular patrols in the area.

Pinonggan added he will discuss with his staff the possibility of implementing a “one exit-one entrance” scheme at the Capitol Lagoon Park to prevent crime incidents there.*APN

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