CAPAS, Tarlac — Four persons including two policemen died when they traded shots following a heated arguments over alleged control of illegal quarrying operations at sitio Pingal, Barangay Sta. Lucia in this town on Saturday, belated police reports have it.
This developed as Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Joel Coronel ordered an in-dept probe behind the Dec 1 gunslay of two cops and two civilians.
“Let no stone.must be left unturned in the course of investigation,” said Coronel in his directive to Tarlac Police Provincial Office (TPPO).
Killed were PO3 Vincent Lugtu, 40. Of the Regional Investigation Division (RID), stationed in Camp Olivas; and SPO2 Jason Garcia, of Mabalacat City Police Station. The civikians were Clint Donald Lugtu, 33, younger brother of Vincent and Renato Mercado, a bystander who was fatally hit by stray bullet.
Initial police reports revealed that Lugtu brothers flagged down the truck occupied by Garcia and another man while en route to a farm past 3pm.
Police said Garcia alighted from the truck with a handgun and confronted Lugtu that led to a heated altercation followed by series of gunbursts.
When smoke was cleared, four bodies were observed sprawled at the crime scene including Lugtu brothers Garcia and Mercado.
One of truck occupants accompanying Garcia, police said reportedly joined in the exchanged of gunfires. He was identified as Bernie Pabalan Hernande, 38, who quickly fled after taking the pistols of the policemen.
Hernandez, police said voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Dec 2 (Sunday) with the handgun he allegedly used in the shooting.
Investigation is on progress to determine the real story about the incident as criminal offenses are being readied against Hernandez.