TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office-8 said that the neutralization of Carlito Parani Magbutay Jr., the leader of a criminal gang and one of Calbayog City's most wanted persons, on Wednesday, May 10, would lead to fewer shooting incidents and reduce drug supply in the city.
Police Brig. Gen. Vincent Calanoga, acting PRO-8 director, said that Calbayog will now be one or two degrees more peaceful with Magbutay's death and the arrest of 15 others who are believed to be members of his gang.
Calanoga said Magbutay’s death was inevitable since a firefight ensued during the operation to arrest him.
"His doing was indeed a significant threat to the community and the whole of Eastern Visayas. If he had not been neutralized, he would have continued in all his illegal activities that would cause disorder and havoc to the populace," he said.
Calanoga warned that remnants and other members of Magbutay’s organization will still be subjected to monitoring and police operations.
"Magbutay Group is now considered dismantled. Sa dami ng naaresto natin sa grupo, mabubuwag na o tatahimik muna (We have arrested many members and they will lie low) but we will still monitor their activities if they join with other identified criminal groups," he said.
Magbutay was facing 11 cases, eight for murder, of which six were dismissed, prior to his death. He had two standing warrants of arrest for murder in Calbayog City.
He was linked to the recent shooting in Barangay Victory in Calbayog in which four persons, including a 14-year-old girl, were killed and three others wounded.
Calanoga said although there were no illegal drugs seized during the operation, he does not discount the possibility that Magbutay is one of the city's suppliers, considering his activities monitored by authorities.