Makati police: Robbery-drug pushing group member fired first

A member of a robbery-holdup group which also peddles illegal drugs in the Metro was killed, while another was wounded, during a shoot-out incident with Makati City police on Friday.

Police identified the fatality as 36-year-old Ronald Gogolin, alias “Onad” of Barangay Pembo in Makati. Meanwhile, another member of the crime group, Jonathan Lanuso, alias “Atan,” of Barangay Comembo, sustained gunshot wounds in his left arm and left shoulder.

In the report of case investigators SPO2 Nilo Sadsad PO3 Ronald Villaranda, Makati police received information that Lanuso was spotted on Cactus Street in Pembo, around 12:30 a.m., carrying a high-powered firearm.

Investigation revealed that Lanuso and his group, who are linked to robbery and drug pushing incidents in the second district of Makati, had pending warrant of arrests for attempted homicide, robbery and murder cases in different metropolitan and regional trial courts.

Upon arrival of Makati police, led by intelligence section chief Senior Insp. Oscar Pagulayan, Lanuso pulled out his handgun and shot the arresting operatives, prompting the police to exchange fire with the suspect.

Lanuso, who sustained gunshot wounds, was brought to Ospital ng Makati for treatment. Police recovered one .45-cal. pistol (serial no. N0238368), loaded with one magazine with two live ammunition.

Lanuso’s three cohorts were also arrested in the operation: Rogelio Agner, 53; Brian Cultura, 3-; and Andy Martin, 40, all residents of Pembo.

An interrogation with Lanuso and the others arrested led to the group’s hideout on Charlie Street, Barangay Pembo, where they kept motorcycles they had stolen.

Five male individuals were in the area when the follow-up team arrived at 3:40 a.m. All ran away from the police, except Gogolin who shot at the operatives with his .38-cal. revolver. A shootout ensued where Gogolin was killed.

Scene of the crime operatives recovered Gogolin’s revolver without serial number, loaded with one empty shell and four live bullets. Several drug paraphernalia were also recovered, including one plastic sachet of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) from the pocket of Gogolin. Two motorcycles which were believed to be stolen were also found in the scene.

Gogolin’s body was brought to Rizal Funeral Homes in Pasay City for autopsy.