2 suspects in trader’s slay killed

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — Two men tagged in the killing of a businessman as well as in robbery-holdups in the province were killed in a shootout with elements of the regional police intelligence office and the Biñan police last Monday night.

The two were identified as Leonardo Cornelio, 42, and Juan Fernandez, both residents of Barangay Sto. Tomas, Biñan town.

Chief Superintendent Jesus Ame Verzosa, Calabarzon police director, said the two shot it out with his men who were to serve warrants of arrest for them.

The warrants were issued by Judge Hilario Corquera of Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in connection with a murder case.

The two were attending a relative’s birthday party in Barangay Sto. Tomas when the shootout occurred at about 8:45 p.m. last Monday.

Verzosa said one of his men, SPO1 Franciso Durante, was wounded in the 10-minute firefight.

Durante was rushed to the Perpetual Help Medical Center due to gunshot wounds in the chest and arms.

Found in the possession of Cornelio and Fernandez were a caliber .45 pistol and a paltik (homemade) caliber .357 pistol, respectively. — Ed Amoroso, Arnell Ozaeta