Bohol cops kill 2 crime suspects in ‘hot pursuit’ ops; one cop hurt

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Two suspected robbers, believed to be ‘big-time drug pushers’ also, were killed by city police operatives, while another policeman was wounded during a shootout that ensued from a ‘hot pursuit operations’ at Barangay Tiptip, yesterday noon.

Two other suspects, whose identities were not yet divulged by the city police, however escaped from the apartment where the shootout occurred. They are now considered at-large and the police are trying to hunt them down.

Police identified the fatalities as Kent Animas, a resident of Maribojoc town, and Reynan “Sadam” Corporal, of barangay Dipatlong of the same town. Both were fatally hit on their heads after several minutes of exchange of gunfire between them and the police.

The police recovered from the possession of Animas and Corporal a bag, containing sachets of shabu, P34,000 cash, two gold necklaces, .38-caliber and .22-caliber handguns with live ammunitions, and two motorcycles.

Police Officer 3 Rex Aranjuez was wounded on his left leg after he was fired upon when he tried to accost the suspects who wore bonnets at the time.

The attempt of Aranjuez to approach the suspects stemmed from the report that a hold-up, near the the Berama building, about a few meters from the integrated bus terminal, has transpired at past 10 am yesterday. The suspects however shot Aranjuez first and fled on their motorcycle, prompting the police to give chase.

The suspects tried to hide in an apartment at purok 4 of Tiptip, but they were cornered later on, resulting in the shootout, with the police killing Animas and Corporal.

The victim of the hold-up was identified as Noel Bayron, of Barangay San Isidro in Mabini town, He said he was robbed and stabbed by the two and their two companions, who were able to escape before the shootout.

Superintendent George Acol Vale, chief of the Tagbilaran City Police, said investigations are still going on, and that the Animas group has been engaged in illegal drugs deals, under a syndicate operating in the city and neighboring towns. (FREEMAN)