CABANATUAN CITY — An alleged notorious robber responsible for the recent spate of robbery hold-up incidents of convenience store outlets in Nueva Ecija was killed while two of his cohorts were arrested following a shootout with the police here on Wednesday night.

Acting Provincial Police Head Col. Jess B. Mendez said an operative identified as Patrolman Aisar A. Hajar, a member of the Santa Maria, Bulacan municipal police was also wounded after being hit in the abdomen during the armed encounter. He was rushed to the Premiere General Hospital for treatment.

Killed was alias “Tolits” while the two arrested suspects were identified as Christian Soro, 30, helper, of Purok 4 Bgy. Samon, and Reymark Hipolito, 27, a truck driver, of Purok 1, also of Bgy. Samon are now facing appropriate criminal charges.

Mendez said his men spotted the three suspects on board two separate motorcycles but after being flagged down, alias Tolits fired at the lawmen, triggering a shootout.

In the ensuing gunfight, alias Tolits was hit and died, while Patrolman Hajar was hit in the abdomen.

Mendez said the armed encounter took place after two convenience store outlets – 7-Eleven branch in Bgy. Mabini Extension and Shell Select in Bgy. Isla, Sta. Rosa were robbed on Wednesday by a suspect later identified as alias Tolits.

Recovered from the encounter site were a black Yamaha Aerox motorcycle; a black helmet with markings RXR; a backpack; a Glock cal. 9mm pistol; a red Honda Click 125cc motorcycle, and items consisting of several identification cards of Shell Select store employees, ATM cards, wallets, and cash.

Mendez said his men also found a hand grenade and four plastic sachets containing shabu from the compartment of the Honda motorcycle driven by Hipolito.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Steve A. Gosuico