One killed, three arrested in shootout

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A member of an “extremist group” was killed while his three companions were apprehended by the authorities during a shootout at Barangay Baclao in Cauayan town, Negros Occidental, Wednesday.

Superintendent Frederick Mead, Cauayan Police chief, identified the fatality as Richanel Noble, 27, who died of multiple gunshot wounds on his body, while those arrested were Edwin Polinacio, 49, Gilbert Baynosa, 27, and Leo Dela Rosa, 24.

The shootout occurred when the police responded to a complaint, Tuesday night, from Barangay Chairman Roselo Delocanog that the suspects fired at him and threatened to kill him.

With the help of the military, the police went to the suspects' safe house at the hinterland barangay. But when the latter saw the approaching authorities, they fired at the latter. "We have no other choice but to retaliate,” he said.

The alleged leaders of the group —Richard Alper, 24, and Riching Villanueva, 27 — were, however, able to escape after the shootout with the police. One of them jumped into a ravine while the other went through a cave, Mead said, adding that hot pursuit operations against the two are now still going on.

“They are an extreme criminal group. They target anyone,” and that they have been involved in murder, homicide and robbery cases in the area, said the police official.

After the arrest of the three group members, the authorities also recovered from the hideout a bolo and at least 10 firearms: Two .357-caliber guns, two .38-caliber pistols, three 12-gauge shotguns, a .45-caliber pistol, and two improvised guns.

The suspects will be charged with attempted murder and illegal posssesion of firearms. (FREEMAN)