Leader of Batangas private armed group dead in encounter

BATANGAS CITY – The leader of a known private armed group in Batangas was killed in a firefight with police at Bauan town in Batangas province Friday morning, police said.

Senior Supt. Leopoldo Cabanag, Batangas police director, said Miguel Leonilo Bantugon, the leader of the famous Bantugon Group, was killed by police officers who were about to serve a search warrant issued by Judge Agripino Morga at his house at Barangay (village) Baguilawa at around 9 a.m. Bantugon was also a businessman who operated a big scrap business in Batangas.

Upon arrival of the operatives, more than five gunmen fired upon the police officers which resulted in a chase and encounter.

Police managed to corner one of the suspects who was later identified as Bantugon. His four companions managed to escape.

Bantugon died while being transported to Bauan General Hospital.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were one caliber .45 pistol, two magazines, one AK47 and bullets. CDG/rga

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