Ormoc City’s number 5 most wanted falls

Shortly after the Police Station 3 received a text message from an informant, the city’s number 5 most wanted fell into the hands of police authorities while visiting a cousin in Camella Homes, Tambulilid village, this city, Monday morning. Arrested was Galicano Siciban, 62, a resident of Barangay Nueva Sociedad in this city, a former barangay councilor, and currently a taxi driver in Cebu City.

The arrest was based on an alias warrant issued by then presiding judge Apolinario Buaya of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 35. Inspector Harris Rebato, Police Station 3 deputy station chief, said Siciban, the station’s top wanted, did not resist when apprehended.

The suspect is facing murder charges for a crime committed on October 29, 2006 only as a self-defense while he was performing duty as barangay official, Rebato said. He said that four men, known as cousins from a nearby village, appeared and demonstrated impoliteness in Siciban’s organized barangay benefit dance. As chairman of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, the suspect tried to stop them, but one of them hacked him. In defense, Siciban retaliated and killed one of them. He sustained hack wounds and was hospitalized for five days. Siciban knew that a case was filed against him but he decided not to file a counter-affidavit for fear of his life.

Asked if he stays in Cebu City to avoid arrest, Siciban said he had been earning a living as taxi driver there prior to the incident and that he had been prepared to face the charges. The barangay officials in Nueva Sociedad are currently compiling the previous blotters filed against the group that Siciban as lupon chairman had encountered. No bail was recommended for Siciban’s temporary freedom. He is now detained at Police Station 3 lock-up cell while waiting for a commitment order.