Ex-Gov. Espino's Ambush Suspect Anong Alipio Nabs by Cops

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan - Policemen arrested at the wee hour today Pangasinan’s most notorious criminal whose strings of activities involved the alleged assassination attempt of former Pangasinan governor Amado T. Espino, Jr.

Arnulfo Cerezo Alipio alias “Anong Alipio” during his mug shot in the Binmaley Police Station. Photo Credit: Pangasinan Police Office

Combined efforts of the Pangasinan Provincial Office (PPO) and the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) bore fruit after they nab Arnulfo Cerezo Alipio alias “Anong Alipio” at his house in Binmaley, Pangasinan at 1:10 A.m today.
PPO Director Col. Jeff Fanged said that during the apprehension, the suspect had no time to resist because he was surprised by the law enforcers who immediately served his six warrant of arrests. Alipio did not have any firearm during the arrest.

Among the 13 suspects in the ambush of Espino and the death of his aide Richard Esguerra and his driver Agapito Cuison at Brgy. Magtaking, San Carlos City, Pangasinan in September 11, 2019, Alipio – a former councilor of Binmaley – was the eleventh to be apprehended by the authorities.
When asked by a skeptical radio announcer if Alipio’s co-conspirator 2019 election congressional candidate Raul Sison really died in March 26, 2020 of cardiac arrest while waiting in The Medical City at Ortigas Ave., Pasig City for the result of his Corona Virus Disease -19, Fanged begged off in the press conference held at the PPO here that he was not privy to answer the question.

“Sa tingin ko wala tayo sa posisyun na mag answer pero maraming tsismis at Maritess pero ang sabi ko nga any development will be subjected to further validation and intelligence monitoring”.

Sison a former close political ally of Espino deserted the latter after Espino’s reneged on his promise for him that he would be his congressional candidate in the May 2019 election. Espino chose instead his son Jumel for the post who eventually beat Sison with a margin of 18, 992 votes among the 243, 254 voters of Pangasinan 2nd Congressional District.

Alipio, according to the press release by the PPO, is a key member of the infamous Sison Group and Potential Private Armed Group (PPAG) because of his involvement in multiple gun-for-hire activities. He is notoriously known not only in Pangasinan but also to the neighboring provinces. As one of the most wanted criminal suspects nationally, he kept the entire National Capital Region vigilant owing to his illegal activities. The Department of Interior and Local Government, under Memorandum Circular 2021-120, had an imminent reward of PhP355, 000 for his capture.

Fanged said the reward would be given to the civilian informers of the peace officers who arrested Sison.
Alipio faces two murder cases; a frustrated murder and three counts of attempted murders issued by Presiding Judge Magnolia V. Cayetano of the Regional Trial Court, 1st Judicial Region, Branch 56 in San Carlos City, Pangasinan on February 15, 2021.