Cops kill bus "robber" in shootout

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — A suspected member of the notorious Garsula robbery gang, operating in Negros Oriental, was killed in a shootout by pursuing policemen after he allegedly robbed passengers of a Ceres bus in Brgy. Jugno, crossing Brgy. Silab in Amlan town Tuesday night.

Killed during an exchange of gunfire was Jonnel Inocerta Sotillo, resident of Brgy. Malaunay in Valencia town, who was believed to be a member of the Garsula group, headed by a certain Michael Garsula.

Sotillo was positively identified by Sr. Insp. Wilfredo Villoria, chief of the Valencia Police, who went to the Amlan Police Station yesterday morning.

Senior Insp. Edwin Tuble, Amlan Police chief, said Sotillo and a companion boarded the Ceres bus (with body no. 7412) driven by Andrew Silorio, at Tiguib in Bindoy town at around 7:20 p.m..

When the bus reached Jugno, the suspect declared a hold-up and divested P11,000 in fare money from the bus conductor identified as Virgilio Bayabos and divested the belongings of the passengers.

Sotillo and his companion, armed with a 9-mm pistol and a KJ-9 pistol, quickly disembarked at an intersection and commandered a habal-habal motorcycle driven by a certain Rogelio Carcuevas in going to the mountains of Brgy. Silab, also in Amlan.

However, another habal-habal driver, waiting for passengers at the intersection, noticed the commotion in the bus and immediately sped off to the police station to report the incident. Tuble and his men quickly responded and pursued the two robbers.

Upon reaching sitio Basiao of Silab, more than two kilometers from the highway, the pursuing lawmen were fired upon by the suspects hitting the hood and the windshield of the police patrol car, prompting the police to fire back. In the ensuing firefight, Sotillo was hit in his breast.

Sotillo's body was recovered at a bamboo plantation, and from near the scene of the shootout were a 9-mm pistol, an empty magazine, assorted clothings and toiletries, five bags from the passengers, a tablet and various cellphones, P1,000 cash, two black bonnets, two knives and a wristwatch.

The intelligence community is now tracking the whereabouts of Sotillo's companion who managed to commander another motorcycle in going to Valencia. The motorcycle was recovered yesterday morning in Brgy. Malaunay of Valencia, with blood stains. (FREEMAN)