Batangas armed group leader killed in shootout

BAUAN, Philippines (The Filipino Connection) – The leader of a known private armed group in Batangas was killed in a bloody firefight with the police near his residence in Barangay Baguilawa here on Friday morning.

Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Cabanag, acting Batangas police provincial director, identified the slain suspect as Miguel Leonilo Bantugon. Bantugon’s group was notorious for pilferage of petroleum products, extortion and gun for hire activities in the province.

Initial police investigation said at about 9 a.m., joint elements of the Batangas police’s provincial intelligence branch, anti-illegal drugs special office task group and the provincial public safety company raided the Bantugon’s residence by virtue of a search warrant for violation of the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunitions.

As the operatives were approaching the suspect’s house, Barangay Chairman Entero Magsino blocked them questioning the legality of their presence at the said premises. Despite repeated explanations, however, the said village chief hindered the police’s entry to the said area, giving the five armed suspects including Bantugon the chance to run away while firing at the police.

During the clash, a bullet hit an operative on his vest and the ballistic shield used during the operation was shot twice.

Police later chased them and Bantugon, who was then armed with a rifle and a pistol, hid inside the house of his neighbor Freddie Cartisiano, but the said suspect was cornered and shot by the police.

Bantugon, who sustained gunshot wounds on his head and chest, was immediately rushed to Bauan General Hospital for treatment but attending physician Dr. Lilliorchid Gran Jorvina declared him dead upon arrival. His four other companions managed to escape.

Recovered from the crime scene were caliber .45 pistol and an AK-47 rifle, both loaded with magazines and bullets. They also arrested Magsino and Cartisiano for allegedly blocking the operatives from serving a search warrant on Bantugon’s residence.

Police said Cartisiano also created trouble after the firefight when he insisted on entering the room where Bantugon hid and even tried to reach the firearms carried by the slain suspect.

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Marlon Alexander Luistro is the editor of The Filipino Connection, a regional partner of Philstar.com