Most wanted in Calbayog, Samar slain in clash with cops

Samar map. INQUIRER FILES

TACLOBAN CITY — An alleged leader of an armed group and the tenth most wanted person in Calbayog City, Samar was killed in a firefight on May 10 with policemen in Barangay Hamorawon.

Carlito Magbutay Jr., 26, allegedly resisted arrest when policemen were about to serve arrest warrants for murder issued by Judges Cicero Lampasa of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32, and Reynaldo Clemens of RTC Branch 31, both in Calbayog City.

This prompted the policemen to shoot him, according to a police report.

During the operation, at least 15 members of the Magbutay group, including a minor, were also arrested.

Colonel Redante Ariza, chief of the regional intelligence division of the PNP-8, said Magbutay was also involved in the illegal drugs trade.

Brigadier General Vincent Calanoga, the police regional director, expressed hopes that the killings in the city would stop with the death of Magbutay.

“Had he not been neutralized, he would have continued all his illegal activities,” he said.

All the arrested persons were detained at the Calbayog City police with the minor was turned over to the social welfare office.

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