At least 21 self-proclaimed members of the Pulahan cult group in Siaton, Negros Oriental, have assured Mayor Albert Ator of their full support and cooperation in locating and even arresting their “fugitive” leaders.

Led by a certain Alberto Sumili, the 21 men from Barangays Apoloy and Casalaan, appeared at the office of Mayor Ator Monday afternoon and claimed they had left the Pulahan cult group after learning that their leaders were facing criminal charges, Siaton police chief, Insp. Cresente Gurrea said.

Gurrea said the 21 did not “surrender” as earlier reported by local media, as there was no reason for them to do so. The men were not  armed, unlike their leaders who are believed to be carrying high-powered firearms, he said.

He also said, those who visited the mayor on Monday claimed they want it officially noted that they had already separated from the Pulahan group in Siaton, apparently to avoid being linked to their leader, a certain Marcus Pasculado, alias Macoy.

Pasculado is said to be facing various criminal charges with three to four pending warrants of arrest, said Gurrea.

          Gurrea also said that Pasculado’s “right hand man” is believed to be Jimmy/Jimson Enocerta, who has been charged, along with his brother, Jerry and Jerry’s wife, Espedita, for the murder of businessman Demetrio “Pororoy” Larena III last year.

Jerry and Espedita Enocerta have been in jail since their arrest last year after the death of Larena.

Aside from Pasculado and Jimmy Enocerta, a few others belonging to the Pulahan cult group in Siaton are also believed to be armed and dangerous, said Gurrea. The armed group is mobile, crossing boundaries between Siaton, Sta. Catalina and Bayawan where other Pulahan groups are also present.

Last April, Jimmy Enocerta managed to elude arrest after he allegedly led Pulahan members in the shooting-to-death of Martin Tangaro.

Insp. Gurrea had then revealed that Tangaro, 44, single and a farmer and resident of Casalaan in Siaton, was most likely killed for allegedly providing information to the police about Enocerta and his companions.

Siaton police later reported also in April, this year of an “encounter” between Enocerta’s group and unidentified armed men believed to be “rising up in arms” against the fugitives.

Records show that Enocerta is facing three separate charges of murder, to include that of Tangaro, Larena, and a barangay chief tanod Malaunay in Valencia town.

Insp. Gurrea has disclosed that the Pulahan cult group in Siaton was facing a “leadership crisis” after Pasculado and his allies allegedly grabbed “power” from the former leader.

The former members of the religious fanatic group who visited Mayor Ator on Monday have promised to help authorities trace, locate and even arrest Pasculado, Enocerta and the other armed Pulahan members, said Gurrea.* JFP

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