Motorcycle ‘thief’ dead in Batangas shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY –– A man accused of selling “stolen” motorcycles was killed in a shootout with the police in Sto. Tomas City in Batangas province on Thursday.

The slain suspect was identified as Dominador Espeleta, said a report from the regional police headquarters.

City police chief Lt. Col. Rey Ochavo, in a phone interview, said members of the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) mounted an entrapment operation against Espeleta at 12:10 a.m. in Barangay Sta. Teresita.

Ochavo said Espeleta agreed to meet with the policemen to sell an allegedly stolen motorcycle.

“(The suspect) sensed he was transacting with the police,” Ochavo said.

In an attempt to flee, Espeleta sped off on a motorcycle towards Lipa City, Batangas but took a sudden turn when he saw a police checkpoint ahead.

Espeleta then came across another HPG team and allegedly opened fire. Police returned fire and hit the suspect in the head.

A .45 caliber gun was recovered from the suspect./lzb