1 dead, 3 hurt as cops clash with suspected bank robbers in QC

A bank robbery suspect, believed to be a policeman, was killed while three others were wounded during an encounter in Quezon City last night between lawmen and alleged members of the Waray-Ilonggo Gang, which has been tagged in a recent bank heist at a mall.

Police Officer 3 Lucio Husmalaga, reportedly assigned at Central Police District-Station 9 in Quirino, was killed in the shootout while SPO4 Celso Jeresano, who was part of the raiding team, and two confidential informants identified as certain Ariel and Romy, were rushed to the St. Luke’s Hospital for treatment of bullet wounds.

The follow-up operation, led by the District Police Intelligence Unit (DPIU) of the CPD, resulted in the arrest of four suspects identified as Sonny Boy Lukman, 18, native of Limadap, Bayang, Lanao del Sur, and resident of Barangay 648, Islamic Center, in Quiapo; Richard Matutino, 18, a native of Ilocos Norte and resident of Barangay Commonwealth; Cynthia Viduya, 28, native of Masbate, and resident of Barangay Commonwealth; and Regina Bornan, 37, of Barangay Commonwealth.

Four other suspects managed to escape.

Chief Inspector Rudy Jaraza, head of the CPD-DPIU, said the incident took place around 7:30 p.m. last Thursday along Riverside street in Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Operatives of the DPIU were dispatched to the area after receiving information on the whereabouts of the suspects in the bank heist at a Fairview mall last Jan. 21, which resulted in the wounding of two bystanders. An armored van lost a still undetermined amount of cash.

While approaching a house along Riverside street, the lawmen were met with a volley of gunfire, forcing them to fire back.

Jaraza told The Star that prior to the encounter, Husmalaga, a resident in the area, approached the raiding team and even volunteered to escort them to the targeted house, known as a haven of drug pushers.

Jaraza said that as the raiding team got near the house, Husmalaga walked faster than the others, leaving the lawmen behind as he darted toward the house.

Husmalaga never came out as gun fire erupted from the house. When the smoke cleared, the raiding team found Husmalaga dead.

The CPD-DPIU chief said residents linked Husmalaga with the suspects.

Jaraza further told The Star that Husmalaga was an active member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) but had been arrested in the past for drugs.