2 alleged hitmen arrested

CEBU, Philippines —  Two gun-for-hire suspects were arrested in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City Thursday night during a hot pursuit operation after they reportedly conducted a hit in neighboring Barangay Guadalupe.

Police Major Kenneth Albotra, Cebu City Police Office-Guadalupe Police Station chief, identified them as Kurt Señires Tampos and Raymond Luardo Bantiles.

Tampos was tagged as the one who shot Clyrck "Kerker" Marfil Billones, 34, unemployed, and a resident of Sitio Kawayan, Barangay Guadalupe, while Bantiles served as driver of the getaway motorcycle.

According to the report, Billones was walking on J. Fortich Street, Guadalupe when Tampos and Bantiles arrived on a motorcycle.

Tampos allegedly then pulled out a gun and fired twice, hitting Billones in the right arm before speeding away.

Responding Guadalupe policemen immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and caught up with Tampos and Bantiles in Sitio Sobusteha Unit 5, Kalunasan,

The police seized from them packs of suspected shabu, a .45 pistol with 5 bullets, and a motorcycle.

Albotra said Billones was targeted allegedly because he failed to turn over proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs.

"Depende sa sugo sa ilang amo kay mga gun-for-hire man ni sila. Unsay sugo unya naay kwarta," he said.

Albotra said somebody who incarcerated at the Cebu City Jail contacted Tampos to kill Billones in exchange for P20,000.

Tampos, Albotra said, used to be a Cebu City Jail inmate due to his alleged involvement in illegal drugs. (CEBU NEWS)