CEBU, Philippines - Danao town Mayor Thomas Louis Gonzaga the other day commended his police force for the fast resolution of a robbery at a store in the public market last week.
The police team, led by Insp. Norman Nuez, was also conferred with commendations from Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) director Constantino Barot Jr. in recognition of the exemplary operation of the Danao Police in solving a robbery in just three minutes.
The police team, during a chase, shot dead the two rob suspects---Joselito Arong, 35, of Inabanga town and Randy Maniquez, 25, a native of Antipolo City in Rizal but was residing in Tubigon town.
Barot had already described the shootout a legitimate police operation because it involved a manhunt on fleeing robbers, but questions were raised on whether the police actions were done according to the rules of engagement.
The 500-meter chase from the Poblacion to Brgy. Remedios ended up in the death of the two armed suspects whose red motorcycle, without plate number, fitted the description of the get-away vehicle used in an earlier robbery in another town.
In the latest Danao robbery, the two allegedly barged into a store, held up its attendants at gunpoint, took P7,000 cash from the drawer and quickly fled on a red Crypton motorcycle. The commotion however caught the attention of the police beat patrol at the town's gym nearby, which in turn alerted the station.
Nuez quickly led two teams for the chase, which eventually caught up the suspects along the highway at Remedios. The police reportedly ordered the two to stop, but they allegedly opened fire at the authorities. This prompted the latter to fire back, hitting the two in the process.
A crime scene investigation by the BPPO Crime Lab and SOCO personnel found beside the body of Maniquez a .357 caliber gun with three spent shells in its cylinder. He sustained nine gunshot wounds in the body--seven in front and the arm, and two in the back.
Lying beside the motorcycle was Arong who had a gunshot wound on the left shoulder and two empty shells of 9mm bullets. Found tucked in his underwear were cash, amounting to P10,550, in different denominations. Investigators have also conducted paraffin tests on the suspects. (FREEMAN)