POLICE Regional Office 4-A director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. yesterday said they have smashed a notorious gun-for-hire ring operating in the region with the arrest of two suspects , one of them confessing his role to the killing of a resident of Santa Maria, Laguna last January 8 and tagging a local politician as the alleged “brains.”

In a report to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the official said that follow-up operations conducted by the Laguna Police Provincial Office headed by Col. Randy Glenn G. Silvio also led to the arrest of 10 others and the confiscation of a cache of high-powered weapons and explosives.

The operation was triggered by the killing of Harrison Diamante on Marilaque Highway in Sitio Silangan, Bgy. J. Santiago in Santa Maria municipality around 7:45 a.m. last January 8, Nartatez said.

The victim was driving his wagon when killed. His companion luckily was unhurt in the gun attack.

The official said that the suspects, who were in a white Mitsubishi Almazora with plate no. UDH-798, suddenly opened fire killing Diamante on the spot.

Acting on information provided by the lone survivor, members of the Laguna PPO and the Santa Maria Municipal Police Station pursued the fleeing suspects and eventually cornered them in Bgy. Talangka, where the four suspects refused to yield and opened fire at the lawmen, triggering a brief gunbattle.

Nartatez said that one of the suspects identified as Edgardo Evagelio was arrested in a nearby rice field while the second identified as Alex Castro was caught near a river.

A loaded pistol was recovered from one of the suspects.

The two other suspects managed to escape.

The PRO4-A director said that the suspects’ vehicle and motorcycle were impounded. Spent casings were also recovered inside the vehicle.

He said that charges for murder, direct assault and violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013 were filed against the suspects.

The official said that during questioning, suspect Castro, in the presence of a lawyer, also revealed that his real name is Noel Castro Buluran and confessed that the “contract killing” was ordered by “Boss Jason.” Nartatez said that the suspected brains was later identified as Christened Jayson Cuento.

He added that the two suspects who managed to flee were later identified as Jonathan Bondad alias “Baloy” and Rio Mahilo alias “James.” A third suspect identified as Marvin Casas was also identified during investigation.