4 carjackers slain in Cagayan town

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Four suspected members of a carjack-robbery syndicate were killed after an hour-long gunfight with authorities in Cagayan’s northern Amulung town on Sunday.

The four suspects were identified as Edmundo Lutero of Imus, Cavite; Joven Amora, of Parañaque City; and Alfredo Tanguilan and Philip Gacutan, both of Makati City; who took the black Isuzu Sportivo (BCX-587) of Juanito Ilagan, an auditor of the Commission on Audit office in Tuguegarao.

Police spotted the suspects on board the stolen sports utility vehicle in the vicinity of Amulung town and chased them, resulting in the firefight, which ended along the Tupang River, as the suspects were about to board a boat.

“The suspects were the first ones to fire at our men. This forced them (policemen) to fire back, which ultimately resulted in their (suspects) death,” said Chief Superintendent Francisco Villaroman, Cagayan Valley police director.

Police believe that the suspects were part of a bigger syndicate engaged in carjacking, highway robbery and other illegal activities in the northern part of the region.                                                                      –