2 hired guns killed in D. del Norte shootout
A GUNFIGHT between policemen on a surveillance mission and two suspected hired guns in Sto. Tomas, Davao del Norte last Saturday left the gunmen dead and one officer seriously wounded, Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) Director Brigadier General Benjamin H. Silo Jr. said yesterday.
In a report to Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the official said that the two suspects died while exchanging shots with members of the Sto. Tomas Municipal Police Station (MPS) in Paseo de Romano, Barangay Tibal-og around 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Silo said their investigation showed that the suspects first shot a businessman from Tagum City and his driver in the area.
However, the gunfire attracted the attention of members of the Sto. Tomas MPS and the Davao del Norte Police Provincial Intelligence Unit in an official surveillance mission in Bgy. Tibal-og.
One of the policemen, identified as P/Cpl. John Almendras tried to arrest one of the suspects but was reportedly fired upon by the latter, who was found to be a resident of Purok 3, Carmen, Davao del Norte.
Although hit in his shoulder and right leg, the cop managed to retaliate, killing the suspect on the spot.
The 2nd suspect was identified with the alias “Ungas,” a resident of Panyong Area, Road 2 in Bgy. Tibal-og was gunned down by the other members of the police team.
The wounded Almendras was first rushed to the Sto. Tomas Health Center for emergency treatment and later transferred to the Davao Regional Medical Center for further medical attention.
Silo said that they had discovered that the first slain suspect is a member of the “Baguio Criminal Gang” operating in the province and had a standing warrant of arrest for murder and violation of the Republic Act (RA) 10883, or the Anti-Carnapping Act of 2016.
The suspect yielded a belt bag containing 12 spent caliber .45 casings, two live ammunition, and two .45 magazines with 14 bullets. On the other hand, the other suspect yielded a cal. .45 semi-automatic pistol with a magazine containing five live ammunition.
The PRO 11 director said the incident is still being investigated as of press time.
