LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – Police arrested on Thursday afternoon, February 15, two suspected members of the Concepcion Criminal Group tagged in the killing of two businessmen in Libon, this province, last year.
JEOFRY and Vilma Mari, alleged members of the Concepcion Criminal Group, were arrested by the police in Imus City, Cavite, and Paracale, Camarines Norte. (CIDG photos)
Police Col. Ariel Red, chief of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Regional Field Unit 5, identified the suspects as Vilma, 36, and her husband Jeofry Mari, 49, of Barangay Maramba, Oas, Albay, and considered as Bicol's most wanted persons.
Vilma, a canteen helper, was nabbed in Barangay Sillas, Imus City, Cavite, while Jeofry apprehended while on duty as a security guard in Barangay Dagang, Paracale, Camarines Norte.
The couple were arrested based on warrants dated January 18, 2024, for two counts of kidnapping with murder issued by Ligao City, Albay Regional Trial Court Branch 14 Presiding Judge Edwin C. Maalat. No bail was recommended for their temporary freedom.
Red said that the Maris were among the suspects in the killing of businessmen-brothers Gilbert and Glen Quimzon of Daraga, Albay.
“Joefry and Vilma went into hiding after the Concepcion Gang killed brothers Glen and Gilbert Quimzon who were about to collect payments of debt owed by one the gang members in Sitio Pinagbadilan, Barangay Buga, Libon, Albay,” Red said.
“The suspects allegedly blocked their car, waylaid them, and gunned them down. Accordingly, Joefry and Vilma who were in cahoots with the gang were the ones who facilitated and guided the victims’ personal meet-up with their attackers,” Red added.
The victims were buried in a shallow grave in the area and lawmen were able to exhume their remains through an eyewitness who guided them to the grave site.
Libon Mayor Wilfredo Maronilla issued an executive order on February 7 offering a reward to people who would provide information leading to the suspects’ arrest.