ANDAYA OFFERS: P500K cash reward for massacre suspect’s head

By Paulo DS Papa and Mario Arguelles

Former Camarines Sur 1st District Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., has offered a P500,000 cash reward for the arrest of Arthur De Leon, the suspect behind the gruesome massacre of five persons who are his relatives in Barangay Tarusanan, Milaor, Camarines Sur on Nov. 5, 2021.

Andaya, in an interview, said he is willing to sell his car to give P500,000 to anyone who can help police authorities to locate and arrest the suspect.

“No questions asked. Dawa na pulis ka, army ka, barangay tanod ka o tsismoso ka lang diyan sa kataraid. Tata-an taka kabangan milyon,” he said.

Aside from Andaya, Milaor Mayor Anthony Reyes also pledged to give P100,000 cash reward to anyone who can give important information to the police that will lead to the arrest the suspect.

To recall, on Nov. 5, at around 5:45 PM in Zone 1, Barangay Tarusanan, Milaor, Camarines Sur, the suspect, a former seaman, dressed in camouflage uniform and armed with an M16 armalite rifle barged inside the house of the victims who were watching TV and fired at them. The suspect killed five of his relatives including his uncle, Romeo De Leon, 72, Samuel Cobilla, 21, Noela Agliones, 7, Hobbie John 6, Robbie John,4, all surnamed Britanico. Another minor, Hades John Britanico, 9, was wounded but survived the attack. He is in critical condition and being treated at a hospital in Naga City.

The suspect immediately escaped after the incident. Police authorities are on the look out for the suspect.

Col. Louie Dela Peña, Camarines Sur police provincial spokesperson, said they have issued an “All Points Bulletin” to all police units to track down and arrest Arthur De Leon.

He dismissed earlier report tagging PFC Mark Emmanuelle De Leon of the 9th Infantry Division as the suspect behind the massacre, saying “the real suspect was Arthur the brother of Mark who according to witnesses was seen at the vicinity of the victim’s house clad in fatigue uniform.”

Army Major John Paul Belleza, 9ID public affairs chief, in a phone interview also clarified that PFC Mark De Leon could not be the assailant because he was in the camp being detained as he was also facing criminal charges.

Meanwhile, Capt. Ermelo Dichoso Jr., Milaor police chief, told Bicol Mail that a road right of way problem between the suspect and his uncle Romeo was the root cause of the shooting incident.

Dichoso said that prior to the massacre, the suspect asked his uncle’s permission to widen the path and make it accessible for his vehicle. The older De Leon refused, which led to a heated confrontation and threats between the two. (With reports of Joe Caguimbal and Tere Iraola)