Church: GMA must act
now vs. private armies
BACOLOD MASS FOR
MASSACRE VICTIMS SUNDAY
BY CARLA GOMEZ

The Diocese of Bacolod yesterday condemned the Maguindanao massacre anew and called on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to make good on her promise to dismantle private armies throughout the country to prevent further bloodshed, especially with the upcoming elections.

Fr. Felix Pasquin, rector of the San Sebastian Cathedral, said the dismantling of the private armies should be done immediately.

Arroyo yesterday ordered the creation of a commission to oversee the dismantling of political clan-dominated private armies in Maguindanao and in other hot spots in the country, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde and Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno announced.

Whoever is hiding Police Officer 1 Kenjie Beloya, who killed his neighbor in Bacolod City Wednesday night, will be charged for “cuddling a criminal,” City Police officer-in charge, Senior Supt. Celestino Guara, yesterday warned.

Guara issued the warning after reports surfaced that a policeman is allegedly hiding Beloya.

He also believes a top uniformed official may be cuddling Beloya that is why until now, he has not surrendered, Guara said.

“Beloya should face the consequences of his action like a man and surrender,” Guara said.

Station 4 policemen arrested two suspected notorious robbers, linked to several robbery incidents in Bacolod City , at about 10:45 a.m. yesterday.

Arrested were Joseph Apuhin, 25, of Brgy. Montevista, and his 17-year-old companion of Brgy. Vista Alegre, in Bacolod , whose name is being withheld by the DAILY STAR.

Station 4 chief Senior Insp. Danilo Francisco said the two were arrested at the residence of Apuhin after they allegedly robbed Roy Gargallano at C.L. Montelibano Extension, Brgy. Villamonte, Bacolod , Thursday noon.