TACURONG CITY — A suspected swindler who sells fake gold bars and illegal drugs was killed while his common-law wife was arrested during a police entrapment operation here on Sunday.
Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 12, said the shootout occurred when the suspected swindler, identified as Dodong Santillana of Kitao-tao, Bukidnon, opened fire on police officers in Barangay Calean.
Supt. Jeofil Siason, city police director, said Santillana pulled out a gun and opened fire after sensing he was dealing with law enforcers.
The lawmen returned fire hitting the suspect in various parts of his body. Police rushed him to the hospital but he died along the way.
His common-law wife, Rubelyn Lanto was arrested. Seized from them were one fake gold bar, a 38 cal. revolver and several sachets of shabu.
Police records showed that Santillana and Lanto have been roaming around the province swindling several people.
The couple’s latest victim was a teacher in President Quirino town who bought a fake gold bar worth PHP50,000. Siason said an entrapment operation was immediately conducted when the couple was seen at Purok Sta. Teresita in Barangay Calean here.
Police appealed to other victims of Santillana to come forward and file appropriate charges against his common-law wife. (Edwin Fernandez/PNA)
