BACOLOD City – A suspected leader of a robbery group who engaged the police in a shootout in Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental was discovered to have a string of criminal cases in court.
Eddie Epogon, 25, of Barangay San Jose, Sipalay City died of multiple gunshot wounds on the head and chest on Saturday, Feb. 20.
He had pending arrest warrants for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, illegal possession of explosives and robbery with homicide issued by Judge Edwin Gomez of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 77 in Sipalay City and Judge Sue Lynn Lowie-Jolingan of the RTC Branch 53 here, respectively.
Chavez fought back and endangered the lives of law enforcers, according to Police Major James Latayon Jr., Sipalay City police chief.
According to Latayon, Epogon was a member of the “Epogon robbery group” responsible for a series of robbery and holdup incidents in Sipalay City and Cauayan, Negros Occidental in recent years.
The suspect was a relative of the Epogons who were arrested in Silay City last year.
Latayon said the group is still active and reported to be engaged in illegal drugs, too./PN