SAN CARLOS CITY– A rise in cattle rustling in this city and nearby towns has been noted since after the elections.

Supt. Johnny Bacbac, city police chief, told The PUNCH that it would appear that those behind cattle rustling activities are out to recoup their election expenses because of the sudden rise and increased frequency. However, he didn’t identify the suspects but simply said the police have their order of battle of those involved in cattle rustling.

There were intelligence reports that some candidates were allegedly supported by cattle rustlers. The police noted that after the polls, cattle rustling activities had been consistently recorded every week.

The police crackdown on cattle rustling activities, on orders of Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil, police regional director and Senior Superintendent Isagani Nerez, police provincial director, has led to the killing Friday dawn of one suspected cattle rustler during an encounter in sitio Amangot, Barangay Mamarlao this city.

One of the suspects, identified as Robert Gonzales of Barangay Balite Sur, was gunned down while another one was wounded but fled.

“They are armed and dangerous,” Bacbac said. The police recovered one carbine, two cows and one carabao.

Last Monday, two stolen cows from Sta. Barbara town were recovered in Barangay Paitan here.

Then on Wednesday, two more stolen cows and two carabaos, were also recovered by the police in Barangay Balite Sur.

He added that the suspects may be trying to test the mettle of the administration of Acting Mayor Julier Resuello who was elected mayor here. Resuello’s slain father, Mayor Julian Resuello, had waged an all-out war against cattle rustling during his administration.

Bacbac described Barangay Balite Sur as a known lair of cattle rustlers where residents have adopted an attitude of “hear no evil, see no evil” possibly out of fear or are possibly benefiting from it as well. —EVA

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