CEBU, Philippines - At least four people were killed in a shootout with NBI agents late yesterday afternoon in barangay Estaca in Compostela, 25 kilometers north of Cebu City.
One other person had been taken into custody while another was said to have escaped.
Among the dead was alleged ring leader Alvin Flores.
The NBI agents were reportedly from Manila, fueling speculations that the victims were members of the gang that staged the daring holdup of a Rolex shop inside the Greenbelt 5 Mall in Makati last week and who may have fled to Cebu to cool their heels.
Radio reports of the incident had been sketchy, as no one from the police nor the local NBI had been willing to talk or go on record.
NBI regional director Medardo de Lemos, interviewed briefly on Radio DYSS, said the agents from Manila were pursuing at least six people.
The victims were apparently staying at a house in Estaca surrounded by a high fence and reportedly owned by a foreigner.
Reports said the victims engaged the NBI agents in a shootout that lasted for about 15 minutes.
Several high powered weapons were recovered from the scene, including armalites.
The NBI agents who took part in the operation reportedly wore face masks, apparently to protect their identities.
Hordes of mediamen and residents hung around the scene for hours after the gunbattle ended, prevented from entering the compound by the NBI. Not even the police from Compostela were allowed to enter until many hours later.
It was not until about 10 p.m. that workers from a mortuary were allowed inside the compound to start retrieving the bodies. It was also about the same time that police were allowed inside the compound.
The Greenbelt robbery raised questions about security inside malls.
A number of powerfully armed robbers posing as bomb disposal experts went inside the Greenbelt Mall in Makati unchallenged by mall guards, despite the fact that they wore unofficial uniforms and came in a private vehicle.
A shootout ensued when two policemen acting as bodyguards to a politician became suspicious and fired at the robbers, one of whom got killed in the exchange of fire.
The rest of the robbers managed to flee with some P6 million worth of expensive watches and jewelry.
Radio reports said the shootout happened past 5 p.m. at the Dodong’s Duplex, a beach resort in barangay Estaca where the victims rented.
A teacher who refused to be identified said she was on the way home from school when she heard gunfire inside the resort.
Delimos said the NBI-Manila and NBI-7 agents have been monitoring the victims, who rented a room at the resort, for the past several days.
The resort was allegedly owned by a Dutch national but it is being taken care of by his Filipina wife’s sister named Bebeng.
Bebeng, who lives near the resort, refused to comments when reporters tried to interview her.
Sr. Insp. Milo Dagsdas, chief of Compostela Police Station, said that the NBI coordinated with them.
Dagasdas said he did not know who were the targets of the NBI until they received the shooting alarm that prompted them to respond to the crime scene.
The injured victims were reportedly taken to a hospital in Danao City, the reports said.
NBI operatives were wearing bonnets during the operation. — Niña G. Sumacot and Fred P. Languido (FREEMAN NEWS)