Two ‘robbers’ killed in shootout with cops

CEBU, Philippines — Two alleged robbers were killed in Bohol Saturday night after they reportedly engaged in a gunfight with policemen who were conducting a hot pursuit operation in Purok 1, Brgy. Anislag, Corella town.

Authorities identified them as Jonas Amen of Ubujan District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol and Ricky Gamo of Brgy. Tagbuane, Alburquerque town, Bohol.

The police said three men, who included Amen and Gamo, allegedly robbed a student who was just walking by the side of the road in Sikatuna, Bohol around 9:30 a.m. last Saturday.

Responding Bohol Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Unit and Sikatuna Police Station operatives immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation and traversed the towns of Balilihan, Cortes and Corella, which they judged would likely be the escape route of the robbers.

While the policemen were traveling in Purok 1, Anislag past 9 p.m. the same day, they saw three men who were riding a motorcycle that was similar in description to that allegedly used by the group that robbed the student in Sikatuna.

When the policemen signaled for the three men to slow down and park at the side of the rode, they allegedly instead accelerated away, resulting in a chase.

Around 300 meters from where they were told to stop, the three men fled on foot, leaving their motorcycle behind.

The three allegedly went to a grassy area and made their stand there by firing at the approaching policemen, hitting one PIU operative who was luckily unharmed as he wore a bullet-proof vest.

The resulting exchange of fire resulted to Amen and Gamo suffering gunshot wounds while the third suspected robber managed to run away.

Amen and Gamo were brought to Tagbilaran City for treatment but the attending physician declared them dead shortly after their arrival at the Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center.

Their identities were established because they already have police records for alleged snatching incidents in Tagbilaran City and in Panglao.

The police said that Amen, Gamo, and the man who got away were also the men who robbed a gas station in Maribojoc town on May 22, a convenience store in Tagbilaran City on May 23, and another gas station, this time in Dauis town, on May 30.

The police recovered at the scene two .45 pistols with bullets and a red and black motorcycle.