A MAN was killed in a shootout between police and a group of suspected robbers in barangay San Roque, Talisay City, southern Cebu.
The fatality was identified as 25-year-old Marlou Caparida alias Walo. The man succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in the body.
Police arrested Sulplicio Tarden Jr., 24, while their alleged cohort Joel Generalao, 22, escaped.
Prior to the shooting, PO1 Stephen Sefuesca and PO1 Edwin Campomanes responded to a theft alarm in the barangay yesterday dawn.
Sefuesca and Campones identified themselves as police officers when they spotted the three who then allegedly opened fire.
The policemen were forced to back off and call for back-up when Tarden threatened to lob a grenade at them.
A team of police headed by SPO1 Mikie Espina arrived.
Police then received a tip that the three men were hiding in a house in the area.
Police surrounded the house and asked Caparida’s live-in partner to convince the man to surrender.
Police also asked Caparida’s father to help convince them to give up.
As police tried to convince the men to yield, Caparida allegedly fired shots at the policemen and tried to escape from the back of the house.
Espina said Caparida fired more shots while trying to escape.
Espina returned fire and hit Caparida.
Police eventually cornered Tarden.
Police said they recovered a .357 revolver with 13 bullets and two empty shells in its cylinder.
A grenade was also seized from Caparida.
Caparida was taken to the Talisay City District Hospital but the attending physician declared him dead.
Espina said Caparida was the alleged leader of a group involved in a series of robbery in the place.
Police said frustrated murder and illegal possession of explosives and firearms will be filed against the suspects./CORRESPONDENT GABRIEL C. BONJOC