Wanted felon wounded in alleged encounter in Quezon

Batangas map. INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — A wanted felon, who is an alleged member of a gun-for-hire and drug group, was wounded on Friday, April 12, in a gun battle with the police in Tiaong town in Quezon province.

The Region 4A police in a report on Saturday, April 13, said that operatives, armed with a warrant of arrest, swooped down around 8:30 p.m. on the house of alias “Raffy,” listed as “Most Wanted Person” in the region, in Barangay Behia.

But instead of surrendering, Raffy’s cohort fired at the policemen but missed his targets and an exchange of gunfire ensued.

The unidentified gunman fled after the shooting and left Raffy with a gunshot wound on his right leg.

He is still confined at United Doctor’s Hospital in neighboring Candelaria town for treatment.

Police launched a manhunt operation to arrest the gunman.

The report said Raffy is wanted for a drug case lodged in a Lucena City court with no bail recommended.

Police tagged Raffy as a member of the “Hernandez Criminal Gang” which was engaged in gun-for-hire and illegal drug operations in Batangas, Quezon, and Central Luzon.

Raffy was arrested in Nueva Ecija on June 25, 2023, but he managed to post bail for his temporary liberty.