CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Two suspected members of a notorious crime group operating in Pampanga and neighboring areas were killed by police authorities in a shootout Sunday in Candaba town, this province.
Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpus, director of the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3), on Monday said those killed were identified only as “Umeng” and “Sonny” and were suspected members of the Arnold Balagtas Group who are also suspects in the killing of a former councilor of Barangay Concepcion, San Simon town.
Operatives of Pampanga Provincial Public Safety Company received reports that the suspects were seen armed on board a single motorcycle in Barangay Pulong Palazan, Candaba.
The operating team immediately conducted random checkpoints in the area and chanced upon the duo.
Police authorities tried to flag down the suspects who, instead of slowing down, opened fire and tried to escape.
A brief exchange of gunfire ensued, hitting the two suspects. They were brought to the nearest hospital but were declared dead on arrival.
Recovered from the crime scene were a 9-mm Beretta pistol with magazine assembly loaded with five live ammunition, a caliber .38 revolver, and one black Yamaha Mio motorcycle without plate number.
Corpus said they will continue to beef-up the implementation of their anti-criminality campaign, especially on motorcycle-riding criminals.
“More operations will be conducted in the coming days to put a stop if not prevent nefarious activities of these lawless elements ,” he said. (PNA)
