Ex-cop, 4 others killed in shootout

CEBU, Philippines - A dismissed policeman and four others tagged in the ambush-slay of Ubay town police chief Saturday evening were killed in a shootout with policemen conducting hot pursuit operation at Playa Beach Resort in Barangay San Pedro, Bien Unido town Sunday morning.

Ex-policeman Owen Rosales, an alleged leader of a drug syndicate in Bohol, and his cohorts; Glen Alvarez Sayson, 34, of Bien Unido; Armando Auxtero Quisto, 33, of Talibon; Junifer Bicada, 36, of Talibon; and Amie Camero, 18, of Cansojong, Talisay City, Cebu, died on the spot.

 Four others surrendered while three were arrested at a checkpoint in San Miguel town. Those who surrendered were identified as Robert del Rosario Olalo, 35, of Davao City; Paolo Rivera Avenido, 33, of Bien Unido; Orlando Remoreras Garcia, 35, of Talibon; and a 17-year-old girl from Trinidad town.

The four also surrendered a hand grenade, M-16 rifle, two KG-9 machine pistols, 9mm pistol, four .45-caliber pistols, a .38-caliber revolver, and suspected shabu.

Senior Inspector Judel Toregoza, Bien Unido police chief, said criminal complaints for illegal possession of firearms and possession of illegal drugs were already filed against them.

The three other suspects arrested at a checkpoint were identified as Cirilo Tagaan Cagatin, 30, of Valencia, Bohol; Romelos Gurrea Languido, 46, of Talibon; and Michael Alcotin Lagunza, 27, also of Talibon.

Cagatin told The FREEMAN that he was only a driver of the Montero vehicle believed to have been used during the ambush of Chief Inspector George Caña in Talibon last Saturday evening.

The vehicle is now in police custody along with a Nissan Urvan, Honda City, and an Isuzu pick-up.

Bohol Provincial Police Office director, Senior Superintendent Dennis Agustin, said that Rosales was the leader of the group. He was involved in illegal drug operation in 14 towns of the province's second congressional district.

Rosales was dismissed from the service in 2011 after he had gone AWOL. He was admitted in the police service in 2008 and was tested positive for drug use in 2010.

Caña was the second chief of police to be shot dead in Bohol within two months. SPO1 Noel Romagos was also killed earlier by still unidentified gunmen. Both Romagos and Caña were very active in the campaign against illegal drugs.

The incident in Bohol will be among the issues to be discussed by the Regional Peace and Order Council in Central Visayas. RPOC-7 chairman and Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the council will tackle on the issue during its meeting on June 23.

"This is my first meeting as chairman. One of the topics that I will take up with the council is kining mga violence, mga crimes committed against law enforcement agents especially policemen," he said.

Davide was appointed RPOC-7 chairman last month by President Benigno Aquino III.  (FREEMAN)