A well-equipped emerging Private Armed Group believed responsible in the series of highway robberies and gun-for-hire activities in the Cagayan Valley region was busted by police authorities following an exchange of gunfire at Lallo town in Cagayan Valley province Tuesday.
A member of the group was arrested after the encounter, said the police in a press statement sent to iorbitnews.com.
Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, director, Police Regional Office 2 (PRO2), said that among the slain gang members is Gener Dunag, the alleged leader of the group composed mostly of his townmates from Pinukpuk, Kalinga.
According to Espino, the Gener Group had just pulled off a series of highway robberies along the stretch of Maharlika Highway on three trucks hauling grains and lumber products, looting an estimated P296,000 in cash, jewelry and mobile phones.
One of the victims, a certain Ambot Rabago, Espino said, was shot in the leg by the suspects in Brgy Logac, Lallo, Cagayan. Barangay officials reported the incident to the local police and a dragnet operation was immediately launched against the suspects on board a white van with license plate RCK-364 that was last seen heading towards Barangay, Magapit, Lallo.
The 203rd Company of 2nd Regional Mobile Force Batallion (2RMFB), put-up a strong checkpoint at Barangay Bangag to intercept the suspects. As the white van approached, the suspects onboard opened fire, triggering a shootout. One suspect managed to escape but was eventually captured at the Magapit Bridge.
Espino said the suspects were armed with a KG9 full automatic machine pistol, three caliber 45 handguns, and a 9mm pistol.
The same group robbed trader Gloria Bautista in Barangay Capalilauan, Pamplona, Cagayan last October 26, Espino said.