Cops kill crime gang leader in Cavite shootout

SAN PEDRO CITY – An alleged leader of a robbery group was killed during a gunfight with law enforcers in Bacoor City, Cavite early Monday.

City police chief Supt. Vicente Cabatingan said suspect Roldan Maiso, who was killed around 1 a.m. in Barangay (village) Panapaan 4, was a former security guard and had formed the Maiso robbery and hold-up group that targeted restaurants in Cavite.

“Their modus was to storm restaurants during wee hours and in about two minutes, seize the customers’ belongings,” Cabatingan said in a phone interview.

The police recently arrested two of the group’s members, who gave up information about Maiso’s hideout in Bacoor City.

Hours before the shootout, the group was allegedly having a drinking spree and were planning to rob another restaurant, Cabatingan said.

The police were armed with an arrest warrant for Maiso’s previous case of frustrated homicide. As they were about to arrest him, Maiso opened fire but was hit when police shot back. Maiso, with two other cohorts, fled by commandeering a passenger jeep.

Policemen chased them until they reached a gasoline station along Aguinaldo highway. The jeepney driver and the passengers managed to jump out, with one passenger slightly injured.

Cabatingan said Maiso died due to multiple bullet wounds. They recovered a .45 caliber gun from him.

Authorities launched a manhunt for five more members of the group who managed to escape during the gunfight.   /kga