“Robber” dead in shootout with cops

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected robber died in a shootout with policemen yesterday dawn in sitio Mangga, barangay San Roque, Talisay City.

Marlou Caparida, 25, sustained gunshot wounds on his body and did not make it to the Talisay City District Hospital alive.

Caparida’s reported companion, 24-year-old Sulpicio Tarden, was arrested while another suspect, 22-year-old Joel Generalao, eluded arrest.

Before the shooting at around 3:00 a.m. yesterday, the police received a theft alarm in barangay San Roque. PO1 Stephen Sefuesca and PO1 Edwin Campomanes boarded their service motorcycle and responded.

SPO1 Mikie Espina told reporters yesterday that Sefuesca and Campomanes went to the area to clarify the report but the two police officers met the group of Caparida at the corner of sitio Kimba, San Roque.

According to Espina, the police suspected that Caparida’s group had planned to victimize someone.

Sefuesca and Campomanes tried to approach the group but allegedly, Caparida fired at the police. Sefuesca immediately dropped on the ground to avoid the bullets while Campomanes used the motorcycle as cover.

The police tried to go near the suspects but Tarden was allegedly holding a hand grenade and was threatening to throw it to the police.

The suspects immediately left the area while Campomanes and Sefuesca called Espina for backup to pursue Caparida’s group. The three police officers coordinated with San Roque barangay officials.

According to Espina, the suspects hid at Caparida’s rented house in sitio Mangga. The police urged Caparida’s wife Remedios to tell her husband to surrender.

While they were negotiating with Remedios, Caparida allegedly shot at the police. A gunfight followed and Caparida ended up dead. Tarden tried to escape but was collard by the police.

Tarden denied any involvement with the group, saying Caparida is their new neighbor and he did not know much about him although he and Caparida had drinking sessions.

Police recovered from Caparida’s body a caliber .357 revolver with four live bullets and two empty shells inside the chamber, another nine live bullets inside the suspect’s pocket, a fragmentation hand grenade, a red ball cap and a cellphone.

Espina claims Caparida heads the group suspected of being behind some robbery incidents in Talisay, Naga, Minglanilla and Cebu City.

Talisay City police urged victims of other robbery incidents to show up and identify the arrested suspect.

A paraffin test will be made on Tarden and Caparida’s body.

Police will file frustrated murder, illegal possession of explosive and illegal possession of firearms against Tarden and Generalao before the city prosecutor’s office./JPM  (FREEMAN)