“Hitman” killed in shootout with cops

CEBU, Philippines - A suspected hitman was killed after he and five other armed men engaged in a shootout with the police past midnight yesterday in Barangay Lourdes, Bogo City.

Randy “Itang” Lobitaña of Lourdes, Bogo City, was brought to the hospital but the doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

Mikee Montealto, a suspected drug pusher and the subject of the buy bust operation, along with four unidentified armed men, eluded arrest after the short shootout with the police.

Senior Police Officer 1 Reynaldo Solante, PAIDSOTG team leader, said that the operation was conducted at a house rented by Montealto in Barangay Lourdes.

He said that a poseur-buyer transacted with the suspect but had to go through Lobitaña, who transported the buyer to Montealto’s rented house using a motorcycle.

The poseur-buyer bought a large pack of suspected shabu worth P10,000. However, when Montealto allegedly handed over the shabu to the buyer, he sensed that he was being trapped so he ran to the back of the house.

Police operatives tried to catch the suspect but Montealto’s group open fired at them.

During the exchange of gun fires, Lobitaña was hit in the stomach and was later brought to the Cebu Provincial Hospital in Bogo City where he was declared dead on arrival.

The police recovered a 9mm caliber pistol from Lobitaña.

Montealto and his cohorts eluded arrest. Solante said that they recovered an AR15 riffle and a .45 cal. pistol from Montealto’s sports-utility-vehicle; three large packs of suspected shabu; receipts from a money forwarding company; and a list of names who apparently owe Montealto money.

“Nagpasad na gani na’ng mga ebidensya kay gipanglabay man na nila pagdinaganay ganiha,” Solante said.

The confiscated shabu is valued at P120,000 but it could be much higher once sold in the market, said Solante.

He added that Lobitaña is Montealto’s hitman, who would kill their customers who fail to pay for their purchased shabu.

Solante said the operation was conducted after officials and residents of Barangay Lourdes, Bogo City complained of the group’s presence.

“Nangreklamo na ang mga residente ug mga opisyal sa barangay kay mga armado man ning tawhana. Unya kana si Lobitaña mao nay magsigi og pabuto,” Solante said.

He added that Montealto is a new player in the drug business after his older brother was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation-7.   Montealto’s operation reportedly reaches Bogo City, to the towns of Daanbantayan, San Remigio and Medellin.

Although Montealto was not arrested, he will still be charged for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs act of 2002 and for violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act.  (FREEMAN)