2 Cavite shootout fatalities were former cops – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Two of five robbery suspects killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in Bacoor, Cavite on Tuesday were former policemen, according to the Philippine National Police.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said that of the two, one was a former police corporal last assigned in the Bangsamoro region and dismissed from the service in May 2018.

Records show the former policeman was allegedly involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

The other, a former police staff sergeant, was last assigned in Caloocan before his dismissal this year for going AWOL or absent without leave.

Co did not identify the former policemen. He expressed belief that more former men in uniform are involved in the group.

On Tuesday, members of the Bacoor police foiled an alleged attempt of the group to stage a heist in a subdivision in Barangay Molino III.

Bacoor police chief Lt. Col. Alexie Desamito deployed her men in the area to preempt the plan of the group.

Desamito said they received information that a criminal group was planning to break into one of the houses in the subdivision.

The former policemen and their three companions were killed in an exchange of fire that erupted during a police pursuit operation.

Three pistols and two revolvers were recovered from the suspects, whose group had reportedly  operated in Cavite and Southern Tagalog.

Meanwhile, in Pangasinan, a police master sergeant was arrested after a raid on his house in Mapandan town on Tuesday resulted in the seizure of shabu with an estimated street value of P5.52 million and several unlicensed firearms.

Julius Paderes, chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Ilocos, said the sergeant was a “high-value target” and is included in the watchlist of the police.

The raid was based on a warrant issued by the Dagupan Regional Trial Court-First Judicial Region.

The suspect will be subjected to a drug test, the PDEA said.