3 rob suspects slain

CEBU, Philippines – Three armed persons died and four others who were playing hantak (toss coin with bets) with them were arrested after they allegedly shot it out with the police past midnight yesterday at Sitio Portland, Barangay Cahumayan, Danao City.

Cahumayan is a mountain barangay located seven kilometers from the city proper.

Eduardo Vasquez, 52; Roberto Thomas Perez, 26; and Riel Moral, were declared dead on arrival at the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City after they suffered multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of body.

Wilson Vasquez, 47; Al Joseph Batucan, 30; Michael Edward Vasquez, 28; and Glen Batucan, 28, who were all playing hantak with the three slain men, were arrested by the police after exchange of gunfire.

PO3 Nelson Pantoja, Danao City Police Station desk officer, said intelligence operatives of the station were responding to a report that a suspect of a robbery incident on Wednesday was found playing hantak in Portland.

Police Officer 3 Fiel Restauro and eight other policemen went to the area to verify the report and slowly approached the group of men playing hantak.

When the policemen introduced themselves when got near enough, Eduardo, Perez, and Miral allegedly opened fire at them prompting Restauro and his companions to fire back.

“Pag-abot nila didto nagpa-ila sila nga mga polis, instead gipamusil noon ang operatiba sa Danao Police station, maayo gani kay wala sila manga-igo. Nakahapa sila unya mi-return fire nanga-igo ning tulo,” Pantoja said.

Eduardo, who suffered two gunshot wounds in his body; Perez, four; and Moral, one, were rushed to Cebu Provincial Hospital in Danao City but was declared dead on arrival.

The police recovered from Eduardo a KG-9 submachine pistol loaded with 15 bullets of a 9mm pistol; a .45 pistol with ammunition from Perez; and a .357 revolver with five bullets and a bullet shell in the cartridge from Moral.

Wilson, Al Joseph, Michael Edward, and Glen, who did not move during the gunfight, were arrested immediately.

The policemen also found two old 50-centavo coins used during the game and P280 that they believe served as bet money.

Pantoja said the three slain men were suspects in a November 11 robbery and were being pursued by the police.

He said his colleagues went to Portland after an informant saw the three men there.

“Sighted ang suspek sa robbery incident, armed sad,” Pantoja said.

He said that they are now tracing the backgrounds of the suspects and would submit the recovered firearms for ballistic examination to check if these weapons have previously been fired and used in any crime.

He said Wilson, Al Joseph, Michael Edward, and Glen would be charged for violating Presidential Decree 1602 or, or the law “Prescribing Stiffer Penalties on Illegal Gambling.” –/RHM (FREEMAN)