Aklan’s most wanted killed in shootout with police

CEBU, Philippines - The most wanted man of Aklan province was killed during a shootout with members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on Monday at Malinao town of Aklan. The incident also wounded Police Officer 3 Roy Iguin, who sustained a graze wound on his forehead.

The suspect, Giovanni Masula, 62, of Barangay Bibo in Tangalan town, succumbed to two injuries on his chest and stomach.

According to Chief Inspector John Paul Tovera, CIDG-Aklan chief, the team was about to serve an arrest against Masula for murder and homicide, but when the latter, who was backriding a motorcycle, was flagged down, pulled his .45-caliber pistol and shot at the police, hitting Iguin as a result.

“We can’t do otherwise but to retaliate,” Tovera said, adding that Masula’s two companions on the motorcycle were not harmed.

Aside from their motorcycle, another motorcycle with Masula’s wife and son was tailing them from behind. Both were also unhurt.

Tovera said Masula was considered a “heartless” killer. “Yung isa n’yang victim, nadaanan lang nila ng naka-motor sila, bumaba siya at pinagtataga na,” he added. “Kung pumatay siya, parang normal lang.”

There was also information that Masula was planning to establish a gun-for-hire group composed of other notorious individuals. He was known in the area as usually carrying a .45-caliber pistol, a shotgun and a hand grenade.

But when the shootout happened, Masula was carrying only a .45-caliber pistol, loaded with ammunition, and a bolo.  (FREEMAN)