2 slain in Cavite ‘encounter’

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A suspected leader of a criminal group and his companion were killed in an alleged encounter in General Trias City, Cavite yesterday.

Emmanuel Concepcion, alias Aga, reportedly ranked second in the list of the police’s most wanted men, next to his brother Gilbert, according to Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police director.

Police have yet to identify Concepcion’s slain companion.

The Concepcion criminal group is reportedly involved in a series of murders and other criminal activities in Bicol and Calabarzon, Cruz said.

The suspects reportedly shot at the police officers, triggering a firefight that resulted in their death at the Cliffwood Subdivision in Barangay Biclatan at around 3 a.m.

The officers were out to serve an arrest warrant against the suspects for murder, rape and direct assault.

Authorities seized from the suspects handguns, ammunition and phones.

A manhunt was launched for Gilbert, who was the principal target of the police operation.