The five fatalities were allegedly members of the Sudoy-Sudoy/Waray-Waray group involved in bank robberies in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
Another suspected gang member was arrested during an encounter with Central Police District (CPD) personnel and a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team at the raided hideout at No. 1-B Aurelia st., Ramos Compound, Philand Extension, Barangay Pasong Tamo in Tandang Sora.
Superintendent Procopio Lipana identified four of the five suspects as Aladin Malinao, Jesus Mendez, Nicolas Gonzaga and a certain Army Cpl. Pelagio Royera.
Meanwhile, CPD-Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) deputy chief Superintendent Jose Garcia identified the arrested suspect as Michael Turion.
Malinao, Mendez and Gonzaga were verified as those who recently escaped from the Malolos provincial jail in Bulacan while in transit back to the province from a hearing at a Quezon City regional trial court on Sept. 28.
According to Lipana, the fugitives and Turion were alleged members of the so-called Abuyog/Waray-Waray group, which was also involved in bank robberies. However, the Abuyog group was neutralized two years ago following the arrest of 12 members on April 30, 2002 with police foiling their planned robbery of a bank along Roosevelt Avenue, also in Quezon City.
Lipana told The STAR that Royera belonged to the Sudoy-Sudoy/Waray-Waray group, the same group believed to have been responsible for the P9-million bank armored van robbery on April 5 at the SM City Annex on North EDSA in Quezon City.
However, he said Royera’s affiliation with the Philippine Army is still being verified as of press time. The fourth suspect was only identified using an identification card recovered from his body.
Lipana said that it is highly possible that remnants of the Abuyog/Waray-Waray group have now joined the Sudoy-Sudoy/Waray-Waray group.
Lipana also said the five suspected robbers were about to carry out a P10-million bank robbery outside Metro Manila at 10 a.m. yesterday.
Garcia said the slain suspects may have planned to rob the Equitable PCI bank branch in Laguna.
Based on a report to CPD director Senior Superintendent Nicasio Radovan, the encounter between the group and joint elements of the CPD-CIU and SWAT occurred at 5 a.m. at the group’s hideout.
Lipana said the policemen have already reached the target house and were about to knock at the door when the suspects opened fire on them, triggering the gunfight.
The gunbattle ended with the deaths of the five suspects, apparently because they were outnumbered by the law enforcers. None of the policemen or SWAT members were killed.
Turion was arrested while attempting to escape from the scene. He will be charged with illegal possession of firearms after a caliber .38 revolver and bullets were found in his possession.
Lawmen also recovered firearms, including a caliber .45 pistol and two .caliber 22 revolvers, and several rounds of ammunition and magazines from the group’s lair.
Police also impounded a red Mitsubishi Galant with license plates TAX-859 and two motorcycles, one with license plate DR-851A. All of the vehicles were parked in front of the suspects’ hideout.
Lipana said the motorcycles were used by the suspects in their surveillance and casing operations.
Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said the killing of the suspects could not be avoided as "they fought it out with our policemen."
Just two days ago, three suspected robbers were killed by police in a raid in Tarlac, while six suspected members of the robbery-holdup Digos gang were shot dead on Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City on Sept. 27.
Bataoil said there was no relation between the deaths of the suspects, remarking "there are judgment calls our policemen did on the ground."
"We arrest when we can but we will do what is necessary to protect our policemen," he told AFP.
However, Bataoil said the police would welcome any investigation into the incidents to determine if there has been a rubout in any of the cases. — With AFP