Police in Masbate kill gang member, nab another

NAGA CITY—A 12-man municipal and provincial police team raided the hideout of a robbery gang in Balud, Masbate, early Monday, killing one gang member, wounding another and arresting a third member while three others eluded arrest.

The gang members tried to shoot it out with the police team during the raid past 5:00 a.m. in their lair in Sitio (settlement) Binon-an, Barangay (village) Palani, in Balud town, 60 kilometers southwest of Masbate City, said Senior Superintendent Heriberto Olitoquit, Masbate police director.

He identified the slain gang member as Renier Sioco. The wounded gang member, a Mark Blancaflor, was later found to have an arrest warrant for rape.

Olitoquit said the arrested gang member, identified as Catherine Sioco, would face charges of illegal possession of firearms.

Recovered in the hideout were an M-1 Garand, an M-16 rifle and a .38-cal. pistol.

Olitoquit said the robbery group was composed of former rebels and named “Sako Gang” as they would put stolen livestock, such as chickens, inside sacks.

Senior Inspector Rodel Pescuela, officer in charge of the Balud police, led the raiding team.