Authorities arrested two of six men who engaged two policemen in a shootout at barangay Cogon in Dumanjug Friday night when the policemen were about to apprehend them for being sighted having guns.
The two arrested suspects, Jek-jek Umboy and 37-year-old Ismael Sanopao, are now detained at the Dumanjug cell, while charges for illegal possession of firearms will be filed against them.
The policemen, SPO1 Eddie Belocura and PO3 Ferdinand Imperial, first responded to an alert about a group of men, with guns, seen in the barangay that was preparing for its coming fiesta.
Upon reaching the area, the policemen saw Sanopao holding a .357 caliber revolver but when they were about to apprehend him, Umboy suddenly intervened and tried to shoot the policemen with his own gun.
Umboy’s gun, however, failed to fire and this prompted the policemen to fire back as Umboy, Sanopao and their companions scampered for cover while exchanging fire with the authorities.
Minutes later, three other policemen arrived at the scene to provide backup, and when the group exhausted all their bullets, they escaped. Sanopao and Umboy were however left behind and were arrested. Only Sanopao’s gun was confiscated while Umboy’s was not found.
Inspector Ricardo Naynne said his men are still checking with the district hospitals to determine if there were civilians who were injured in the shooting.
Nayne also found out that Umboy and Sanopao have pending warrants of arrest for attempted murder and frustrated murder in 2005. — Garry B. Lao/RAE