Man nabbed after shootout with cops in Quezon

LUCENA CITY—Police arrested a man, who claimed to be a gun collector, after a shootout in Dolores town in Quezon province early Wednesday, a police official said.

Senior Insp. Marcelino Platino, Dolores police chief, said policemen went to the house of Arnel Anivez, 46, in Barangay (villagr) San Mateo at around 5:40 a.m. to implement two search warrants issued by Judge Agripino Morga of Regional Trial Court in San Pablo City.

But instead of allowing policemen inside his house, Anivez fired at lawmen and used his four young children and wife as shields, Platino said.
Anivez and his family, however, were not hurt during the incident.

Platino said Anivez fired different types of guns to create the impression that he had companions.

While a police patrol car was peppered with bullets, Platino said no policeman was hurt in the shooting.

He said Anivez also lobbed a grenade at policemen who were dispersed in front of his house. The grenade, however, fell on a net and exploded in the house’s terrace.

“We also fired back but our guns were pointed upward so we could frighten him and force him to surrender. We have to consider the safety of his family,” Platino said by telephone.

After 30 minutes of engaging with policemen, Anivez surrendered through the help of his parents and village officials.

Police recovered from Anivez’s house a 12 gauge shotgun, a carbine rifle, a .45 cal. pistol, an improvised .22 cal. rifle and assorted bullets.

Furthermore, they found two plastic sachets of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and illegal drug paraphernalia.

“[Anivez] introduced himself as a gun enthusiast but all his firearms were undocumented,” Platino said.

Anivez earns a living through farming. A son working abroad also supports his family.

Police said several residents in San Mateo village have been complaining about Anivez, who they said would fire his guns indiscriminately, especially if he is under the influence of illegal drugs.

Anivez is detained at the Dolores police jail and is facing charges of multiple attempted homicide, illegal possession of firearms and possession of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia. RAM

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