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Abra folks barricade cops out to nab ‘untouchable’
By Mar T Supnad

BANGUED, Abra- Tension gripped the town of Baay-licuan when policemen who arrested recently a former barangay kagawad who was facing multiple frustrated murder were blocked by an angry mob who apparently wanted to prevent the arrest of the fugitive dubbed by the police as top wanted person.

Sr. Supt. Alex Pumecha, Abra police director, reported to Chief Supt. Eugene Martin, Cordillera police director that police operatives of Ba-ay Licuan under Sr. Insp. John Ingtitan were sent to Barangay Subagan to serve the warrant of arrest against Jovencio Lucas, 49, issued by Judge Corpuz Alzate of the Regional Trial Court branch 11 of Bangued.

As soon as the policemen captured the wanted person who went into hiding for three years after being indicted for multiple frustrated murder by Judge Alzate, residents in the area began to group themselves, then tried to block the armed policemen who arrested the suspect.

As the policemen tried to go out of the area, the residents barricaded and refused to allow the policemen to leave with the arrested person that led to a standoff.
Additional reinforcements from the PNP’s Special Action Force and from the Provincial Mobile Group had then arrived in the area to support their beleaguered companions. The residents claimed that the case filed against Lucas was already amicably settled.

However, Pumecha said, because of the diplomatic dialogues of policemen with the belligerent residents and with the arrival of reinforcement of the elements of Police Provincial Mobile Group and Special action Force, residents dispersed and allowed the PNP personnel to take the suspect.

Records showed the crime was committed on Aug. 29, 2005 at Ba-ay Licuan when Lucas allegedly ambushed and shot a certain Ave Anquilliano, Reagan Bandril, Aloy Dugayen and Alejo Domingo. Quoting witnesses, police said Lucas who was drunk at that time, then barged into a prayer meeting held by the victims and created a trouble.

He was pacified and told to leave and went home. But he immediately returned with a firearm and shot the victims. He was now under the custody of Abra Provincial Jail on same date of captivity.