Senior Supt. Milko Lirazan yesterday said he may recommend bounties for the arrest of members of the notorious group calling themselves “The Brothers”, who are linked to a series of killings in Negros Occidental.

A massive manhunt has been launched by the police for some time now for the Seva brothers, who include Ron Ron, Tata and Mama, and their armed companions, who have also been tagged as suspects in the recent killing of Lauro Delgado Jr., alias Onyot, at a restaurant in Bacolod City.

Delgado was the son of Lauro Sr., who was allegedly killed by the Seva brothers in Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona last year, police records show.

The Seva brothers tagged the younger Delgado, who was in the company of alleged members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade, as one of the suspects in the burning of their grandfather’s house, and who attempted to molest their cousin in Brgy. Canlusong last year.

Lirazan said the Seva brothers have pending arrest warrants for murder, arson and robbery, among others.

Mama Seva, in an interview with MBC Aksyon Radyo, however, accused the EB Magalona police of being biased in their investigations. He claimed that they coddled the suspects in the killing of their family members and relatives, and challenged Lirazan to be impartial in their probe.

Lirazan, however, said members of the Seva family are not cooperating with the EB Magalona police.

Police investigations show that the families of Seva, Delgado, de la Torre, Devero and Cunanan used to be members of an organized group linked to the series of robbery-hold-up activities in the hinterlands of Silay,Talisay,Victorias, EB Magalona and neighboring areas.

Because of irreconcilable differences, the group headed by a certain Kampay Seva, estimated to have 27 members, separated.

The conflict among them started after the unabated timber poaching activities was reported to Task Force Ilahas, and later led to the killing of Kagawad Rolando Lozada,his father, Nicolas, and brother, Rene, Delgado Sr. ex-Kagawad Federico Esguiran and his son, Nilo, Joseph de la Torre and Delgado Jr.

Three farmers in Brgy. Canlusong, EB Magalona identified as Julie Devero, Michael Celeste and Gerald Alabe, who were also abducted by unidentified armed men in 2010, have not been found, until now.

The abduction was blamed on the RPA-ABB, that vehemently denied it.

Lirazan debunked claims that the younger Delgado was a member of the RPA-ABB, although he said he received reports that some relatives of the victim’s wife are members of the rebel group.

He said the two Delgados and the abducted farmers were also accused of exposing the poaching activities in Brgy.Canlusong, EB Magalona.

Lirazan said Brgy. Canlusong is now peaceful because of the presence of the detachment, and the suspects behind the series of killings, hope reportedly sought refuge in neighboring areas. * GPB

back to top