"Notorious" robber hurt in shootout with cops

CEBU, Philippines - A “notorious” robber is in critical condition after shooting it out with the police who were out to serve a warrant of arrest against him in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City yesterday noon.

Kadapi Puyong, of legal age and a resident of Quijano Compound, sustained several gunshot wounds after he exchanged gunfire with the Theft and Robbery Section operatives while trying to elude arrest.

Puyong has a standing warrant of arrest for robbery issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 58 Judge Gabriel Ingles.

The case stemmed from a complaint filed by Mary Ann Romarate-Arnado after the accused allegedly robbed the victim of her jewelries and cellular phone amounting to P206,000 on October 21, 2009.

The accused reportedly broke into Arnado’s house by climbing over her concrete fence and removing the jalousie blades of the window. Since then, Puyong has been wanted.

TRS operatives received information yesterday about his whereabouts prompting them to verify.

The police found him in a gambling known as “hantakan” in Barangay Calamba.

However, when Puyong ran after he sensed the presence of the police and a brief chase ensued. While trying to flee from the pursuing policemen, Puyong allegedly fired at them. Fortunately no one from the police operatives was hit.

 The police was forced to return fire hitting the accused in his right thigh and other parts of the body. The police recovered a .38 revolver used by the accused.

Puyong was rushed to the Cebu City Medical Center where he is reportedly in critical condition.

SPO2 Jeffrey Diola, TRS investigator, said that Puyong is a notorious robber in Calamba. In fact, he has been a subject of several police operations.

“Bag-o lang ko diri sa TRS tunug na kaayo na iyang ngalan. Grabi na siya ka idlas. Kapila na nanamo gi-operasyonan maski uban nga estasyonan nagbantay sad ana niya,” Diola said.

Diola said Puyong operates not only in Cebu City but also in the neighboring cities and municipalities in Metro Cebu.

The police suspect that it was Puyong who broke into Atty. Ruphil Bañoc’s apartment in Barangay Punta Princesa and took his .45 caliber pistol. (FREEMAN)