Cavite cop chief killed in shootout

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – The police chief of General Mariano Alvarez town in Cavite was killed in a shootout with suspected guns-for-hire in Barangay Delas Alas Wednesday night.

Senior Inspector Leo Angelo Cruz Llacer died from a gunshot wound to the stomach while being treated at the Asia Medic Hospital in Barangay Pala-Pala, according to Senior Superintendent Jonnel Estomo, Cavite police officer-in-charge.

Estomo said one of the suspects, identified as Mando Luminog, was killed in the gunfight, but three others  escaped.

Estomo said the incident occurred when Llacer and seven of his men responded to an indiscriminate firing incident involving four men in Barangay Delas Alas at 7:30 p.m.

He said Llacer, who identified himself as the town’s police chief, was talking to residents when a gunshot rang out from the window of one of the houses.

Estomo said the suspects refused to surrender and opened fire on the policemen, prompting a gunfight.

He said a manhunt for the suspects has been launched.

Superintendent Romano Cardiño, chief of the intelligence division of the Cavite police, said the suspects are members of a group led by Romeo Villaganas Jr., which is also involved in drug trafficking and robbery in the province.                – With Non Alquitran