BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA AND CYRUS GARDE
BACOLOD City – Francisco Epogon, alleged leader of the notorious Epogon robbery/hold-up group, was recaptured early Friday morning in Binalbagan town’s Barangay Amontay.
Epogon, a resident of Barangay Isio, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, was one of the five detainees that bolted the Negros Occidental District Jail (NODJ) on June 29.
According to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO), they initiated the operation to recapture Epogon after obtaining intelligence report that he was hiding in Sitio Nabilog, Barangay Amontay.
Epogon was previously arrested in the house of his mother-in-law, confirmed Police Captain Ellendie Rebusquillo, officer-in-charge of the Binalbagan police station.
“He tried to escape but police already cordoned the area,” he added.
Among the units that were sent were members of NOCPPO’s Provincial Intelligence Unit, Isabela municipal police station and the 1st Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company.
The cops were also reinforced by tracker teams from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
With Epogon recaptured, NOCPPO and BJMP units have turned their attention to the fifth and remaining NODJ escapee, Alejandro Montoya.
On June 29, Epogon, Montoya, Daniel Tamon and brothers Marvin and Danilo Celeste bolted out of the NODJ in Barangay Tabunan in Bago City.
On June 30, Marvin Celeste was slain while Tamon was recaptured in Barangay Blumentritt in Murcia town.
On July 2, Danilo Celeste was slain after police again tracked down the escapees in Barangay San Fernando in Talisay City./PN
