Wounded escapee recaptured after shootout with policemen

CEBU, Philippines - A man who recently escaped from jail is now fighting for his life after he was shot and hit by the police in an encounter yesterday dawn in barangay Bulyogon, Dumanjug town.

Jury Tobis reportedly exchanged fire with operatives of Provincial Mobile Group of the Cebu Provincial Police Office but was hit and is now in critical condition.

Tobis, of legal age, reportedly escaped from Ronda Police Station last June. He has warrants of arrest for murder, frustrated murder and attempted murder.

CPPO director Jesus Gaquing told reporters yesterday that Tobis was riding a motorcycle with two other unidentified armed companions when they fired at the PMG operatives led by Insp. Roland Aliser, prompting the policemen to retaliate.

Gaquing said the police had long been looking for Tobis and his group who are allegedly wanted for harassing farmers, robbery, and killing people in the mountain barangays of Ronda, Dumanjug and Alcantara. He said the arrest of Tobis could decrease the crimes in those areas.

Aliser said they rushed to Dumanjug after their assets informed them that Tobis and his companions were in Bulyogon planning to escape to Negros Oriental.

Amid the rain, the police spotted the group in a secluded area around 12:30 a.m. They shouted at them to stop but Tobis’ group fired at them that prompted them to retaliate.

“Limitado kaayo ang among pagbawos kay gawas nga kusog ang uwan, unya ngitngit ang area, duna usab daghang panimalay didto sa dapit hinungdan nga gisiguro namo nga wala’y mapaganag sibilyan,” Aliser said.

Minutes later, the police spotted two red XRM motorcycles with three men onboard but speeding away. They then gave chase.

Aliser said that at around 11 a.m., an asset told them that there was a wounded man confined at the Barili District Hospital.

The man allegedly introduced himself to the hospital personnel as Francis Perater. He claimed that he tried to commit suicide and was taken to the hospital by unidentified men.

However, police positively identified him as Tobis.

According to Aliser, Tobis was in a critical condition and doctors suggested that he be transferred to a hospital in Cebu City — Niña G. Sumacot with Guam Logroño of Banat News/LPM (THE FREEMAN)