THE AGUSAN police arrested Ryan Mark Baylon, the alleged brains behind the murder of retired colonel and mining executive Samuel “Saga” Afdal in 2021, on Monday, July 1 in Barangay Talahiron, Kibawe, Bukidnon.
Baylon, the victim’s business associate, is the last of the four suspects in the ambush of Afdal to have been arrested.
The Agusan police led by Major Ralph Jezen Perez said Baylon did not resist when accosted by law enforcers.
Baylon is now in custody at Bunawan Municipal Police Station for documentation and proper disposition.
Alemar “Dongkoy” Awado already surrendered to the authorities in Bislig, Surigao, while Rosalino “Okie” Degracia, according to Afdal family’s legal team, surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Davao in April.
Judge Juris Dilinila-Callanta of Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 85, signed the arrest warrant for murder on April 5 against Baylon and Degracia. No bail was recommended for both.
To recall, Afdal was ambushed on Oct. 26, 2021, while driving to the mining site. He was wounded but was able to drive away to seek help in the compound of Rosario Manobo Mining Corporation (RMMC).
From there, he was rushed to the nearest hospital and was given medical attention. A month later, Afdal succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 15, 2021.
RMMC was the company established by Afdal after selling his interests in Philsaga Mining Corporation, which according to Evelyn, Afdal’s widow, Baylon tried to take overtake.
Agusan del Sur provincial Prosecutor Ceferino Paredes in January found probable cause to indict Baylon, Awado, and Degracia following a confession of gunman Jeffrey Mamerto who is currently serving a sentence of 10 years in prison after being convicted of the crime last year on Nov. 15.
In his confession, Mamerto pointed to Baylon as the brains who allegedly offered P200,000 to Degracia and Awado for the job. Mamerto was then given P50,000 by the two for helping them gun down Saga.
File Photo: Bing Gonzales
