Member of armed group in checkpoint clash with cops killed
Tags: police, crime, gang,
By Jigger J. Jerusalem and Divina M. Suson
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A member of the armed group that clashed with police at a checkpoint in Libertad town, Misamis Oriental province was killed early Friday (Feb. 21) by police at a village in the town.
Police have yet to identify the slain suspect who was known only by his alias “Bulaw” in reference to hos dye-colored blonde hair.
Bulaw was one of five men who opened fire at policemen at a checkpoint in Libertad town last Monday (Feb. 17). Two men were killed im the gunfight—a police officer snd one of the suspects.
Witnesses said Bulaw, believed to be the group’s leader based on his companions’ confessions, went around the village of Poblacion asking for water before police cornered him.
A resident, who asked not to be named for security reason, told reporters he was approached by the suspect to ask for a glass of water.
He said Bulaw sported tattoos all over his body and wore what he described as items that looked like amulets on his hip, neck, wrist, ankle, and even on his pocket.
Aside from drinking the water offered to him, the resident said Bulaw also washed his hands and feet, and even asked for clothing and footwear.
“He asked if I have an extra shirt and flip-flops. My wife gave him my granddaughter’s used flip-flops,” he said.
When Bulaw left, he said his wife called up the police. A team of police officers happened to be nearby as they continued the search for the suspects.
The villager said they identified Bulaw through a photo taken of him going around Poblacion and shared by residents on social media.
Col. Roy Bahian, Misamis Oriental provincial police chief, at a press briefing on Friday said officers fired several shots at the suspect before he went down on a mound planted with bananas.
Bahian said Bulaw was in possession of a fragmentation grenade.
Also recovered from Bulaw were two mobile phones and a bunch of identification cards bearing different names. Bahian said police were able to identify the killed suspect based on a document taken from him.
Bahian said Bulaw was shot deqd four days after he went into hiding.
Police said another suspect had been arrested.
Police have yet to identify the arrested suspect, but his other companion who was caught on Tuesday (Feb. 18) was identified as Richard Perez, who also goes by the name “Richard Manda.”
Bahian said Bulaw was the one who shot SSgt Ronald Caayupan of the Libertad police when the armed group fired at the officers manning a checkpoint in Libertad.
Also killed during that clash was Jephone Tinamisan, from Ozamiz City, the vehicle’s driver.
Taken from the suspects’ vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Mirage, were four units of caliber .45 caliber pistols, two pieces KG 9 semi-automatic firearms, a 9mm pistol, four pieces hand grenade, and five small plastic sachets containing white substance suspected to be “shabu” or crystal meth.
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, police have filed cases against the suspects for murder, frustrated murder, illegal possession of firearms and explosives, and illegal drugs, said Lt. Col. Mardy Hortillosa, regional police spokesperson.