2 of 4 slain Cavite ‘robbers’ identified

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Two of four suspected robbers killed in a firefight with police officers in Silang, Cavite last Friday have been identified, an official said yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Joselito Esquivel, Cavite police director, identified  the two as Rodolfo Matillano of Lipa City, and Rommel Leynes based on identification cards recovered from the suspects.

Esquivel said the suspects were members of the so-called Michael Gulla robbery group, which hijacked a delivery truck loaded with P300,000 worth of cigarettes in Barangay Maguyam and seized its driver and two employees.

Hours later, police spotted the van and the suspects’ getaway car, a Toyota Avanza, in Josephine Subdivision in Barangay Luksuhin.

Esquivel said the suspects shot at the police officers, triggering a 15-minute firefight.

Police Officer 1 Ruben Cruzado, a member of the Special Weapon and Tactic Action Team was wounded in the encounter.

Police found Emil Mendoza, Rodolfo Tan and Aaron Paul, all employees of the Mighty Cigarette Co., hogtied at the backseat of the Avanza.