6 alleged robbers slain, 1 arrested in Cagayan shootout

Six alleged members of a robbery gang were killed while another one was arrested following a shootout with elements of the Cagayan police Tuesday night.

Police said the suspects were intercepted in a checkpoint at Magapit, Lal-lo town, Cagayan Province after a string of robberies victimizing a trailer truck, a 10-wheeler truck, and a Nissan Terrano along the national road of Barangay Bicud.

A report from the Cagayan police on Wednesday said the firefight ensued after the suspects tried to evade inspection at the police checkpoint. Another suspect identified as Reyes Puyao, 34, of Pinukpuk town in Kalinga, managed to flee the scene but was later arrested.

After the shootout, six suspects lay dead at the scene of the crime. Except for their supposed leader, Gener Dunag of Kalinga province, none of the other fatalities have been identified as of this posting, although they are suspected to be part of a robbery gang, said Senior Supt. Warren Tolito, Cagayan provincial police director.

An officer of the Lal-lo Police Station told INQUIRER.net that Puyao also yielded a sachet of “shabu.”

Police said the suspects took undetermined amount of cash, two necklaces, a cellphone, vehicle key, driver’s license, and other important documents from the driver of the Nissan Terrano.

The suspects also stole P3,000 and the license of the driver of the 10-wheeler truck, and another P1,000 from the trailer truck driver, who also sustained a gunshot wound on his left leg after initially refusing to give his money to the suspects.

Recovered from the scene of encounter were over P140,000 worth of cash, 12 cellphones, and several guns and ammunitions.

Prior to the shootout, the policemen were alerted about the mugging of three businessmen, prompting the police set up checkpoints, including one at Barangay Bangag where the armed men instigated the gunfight.

Dunag’s gang was linked to the 2017 robbery of traders in Pamplona and were caught. They were out after posting bail.

Puyao was detained at the Lal-lo Police Station awaiting inquest proceedings for a case of robbery with attempted homicide and drug charges. The bodies of the six suspects were, meanwhile, taken to EM Funeral Homes. /jpv