2 'Bonnet' gang members slain

MANILA, Philippines - Two suspected members of the “Bonnet” robbery gang were killed in a shootout with responding policemen and Air Force personnel yesterday morning, minutes after a failed heist in the house of a wealthy couple in Batangas City.

Five other suspected gang members, including an active policeman and a foreign national, were arrested in follow-up operations, said Chief Superintendent Rolando Añonuevo, Calabarzon police director.

Añonuevo ordered a massive manhunt for other gang members, including another policeman identified as one PO3 Eleuterio Yurag.

Slain were June Paycana, who was reported to be a National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent, and Antonio Sabiniano, 58, whose body was fished out in Pandayan town.

Arrested in separate operations were Falconery Sabiniano, 32, an operation officer of a security agency; Rodel Mayo, an alleged NBI asset; Hassouna M’Nas-seur, 21, a tourism student from Tunisia; SPO2 Rodrigo Endozo, of the Lemery police; and Elmer Tiama, 50. – Non Alquitran, Ed Amoroso