TRAVELLING from Cagayan de Oro to Bukidnon via the Talakag roads and vice versa is both a pleasure and a significant risk to anyone captivated by the long rides.
While the Talakag routes, particularly at the mountainous barangay of Miarayon up to Lantapan and Dominorog, offers some relief due to its breezy air and panoramic view, there were also discomforting, if not disturbing stories to tell ― owing to the presence of notorious bandits.
But following the surrender of the Acuman criminal gang members, some weeks ago, the government authorities are hoping that violence and hostile acts towards the civilians in said areas would finally end.
“Dakong kalipay kanamo ilang pag-surrender kay ma-peaceful na among lugar, daghan na unya mag-invest nga mga negosyante nga makapalambo sa ekonomiya,” said Melvin Legayada, the Barangay chairman of Dominorog where the feared Acumans are based.
Turning themselves up to the police, with the help of tribal leaders in Talakag, are the group’s primary leaders Dario M. Acuman, Erwin M. Acuman, a.k.a Kapitan; and Ryan T. Acuman, a.k.a Opaw.
They are all family-related and have existing multiple warrants of arrest for crimes of murder, frustrated murder attempted murder, and illegal possession of high-powered firearms and ammunition. They also surrendered one M16 riffle, one M14 riffle, and one cal. 45, and ammunition.
According to PRO-10 Regional Director, Brigadier General Lawrence Coop, the Acuman gang is composed of 14 notorious bandits that were also involved in illegal activities such as robbery, cattle rustling, highway robbery, and extortion schemes in Bukidnon specifically in Talakag and its adjacent municipalities.
While some of them have either yielded or died in previous encounters with the government forces, the three Acumans’ surrender thereby left only two active members of the group that remain at large as of press time.
“Kining among lugar gud sa Dominorog agi-anan going to the direction tumoy sa Talakag, Kalilangan ug Pangantucan in Bukidnon unya duol sab sa Lanao Sur nga boundary maong problema gyod ang kabahin sa peace and order. We’re optimistic nga motahan sab ang nabilin nga duha kay surrender naman ilang leader,” Legayada said in an interview.
Police Major Joan G. Navarro, PRO-10 spokesperson, attributed the Acumans’ decision to surrender to the intensified efforts of the police operatives to hunt the lawless elements in critical areas of Northern Mindanao.
“Gumikan sa gipanghingusgan nga operasyon sa kabukiran nahugno, na-constrict gyod ang kalihokan sa maong criminal group nga gi-monitor sa PNP since 2017 pa. Very timely dako kaayo kini nga accomplishment sa atong p'wersa to curve criminality especially the organized criminal groups that operate in Bukidnon and neighboring Lanao Sur areas,” Navarro said.
“Our efforts have now resulted positively as several criminal gang members have surrendered to the folds of the law. I commend the PRO-10 personnel for doing this job excellently and assured you that we will be proactive in our intel-driven operation with the active support of the community to attain a progressive place to live, work and invest,” added Brig. Gen. Coop.
