Police gun down 2 men, arrest another in Cebu ‘encounter’

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CEBU CITY — Two alleged members of a criminal gang were killed while another was arrested in Sitio Losno, Barangay Langin, Ronda, about 81 km southwest of Cebu City, early Wednesday morning.
Elements of the Dumanjug police station who led the operation identified the fatalities as Wilfred Albios and Marciano Tiwan alias Amar. Their bodies were brought to a funeral home in Ronda.
Another suspect Bemar James Mejares, who is reportedly the most wanted criminal in Argao town, was arrested. Several guns were also recovered.
The shootout occurred near the boundaries shared by Dumanjug, Ronda and Argao.
Senior Insp. Alejandro Batobalonos, Argao police chief, said Mejares was a member of a gun-for-hire group and was facing murder and frustrated murder charges.
The Dumanjug police station received a call at 2 a.m., Wednesday, about the presence in Barangay Masa of men believed to be the suspects who strafed the vehicle of a Liberal Party candidate last Dec. 4.
The men reportedly opened fire when the Dumanjug policemen arrived at about 5 a.m., triggering a shootout.
The suspects retreated to nearby Sitio Losno where they were cornered.
Last Friday, the Mitsubishi Pajero of Rene Asentista, the LP candidate for vice mayor in Dumajug, was parked near the Barangay Hall of Masa when gunmen strafed and lobbed a grenade at the vehicle.

Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide ordered the police to conduct an “exhaustive investigation” and arrest the suspects.