Gun-for-hire boss, 3 members slain

BULACAN

STA. MARIA, Bulacan — Justice came swift for the victims of a gun-for-hire group allegedly behind the killing of two policemen and a city prosecutor in this province when police shot it out with the gang and killed its leader and his three alleged cohorts in this town yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Ferdinand O. Divina, Bulacan Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, identified the slain suspects as alleged gang leader Amir Panggaga Manda, with aliases “Tangkad” and “Jamal Ampaso Pangkoga;” Recafort M. Ignacio, of Tala, Caloocan City; Esmail Lomondot Natangcop, of Poblacion, Salvador, Lanao Del Norte; and Elma Villlamor Gonzales, of Barangay Minuyan Proper, San Jose Del Monte City (SJDM).

Divina said the group is allegedly responsible for killing two police officers of the SJDM City Police Station and the assassi- nation attempt on SJDM City Prosecutor Antonio Buan last March 24 in San Miguel, this province.

Supt. Ranier M. Valones, San Rafael Municipal Police Sation (MPS) chief, said the shootout between his men and the four suspects started around 1:30 a.m. during “Lambat-Sibat Operations” in Barangays Tabing-Ilog and Poblacion in San Rafael town.

It was in this encounter that Manda, wanted for murder before the sala of Judge Francisco P. Felizmenio of the Malolos City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 19, was killed.

In a follow-up operation, lawmen swooped down the hideout of the group on Ignacio Street, Sitio Sulok, Barangay Sto. Tomas, here, resulting to the death of Ignacio, Natangcop and Gonzales, said Supt. Rodolfo A. Hernandez, this town’s police chief.

Hernandez said an assortment of firearms and a motorcycle believed used by the group were seized.

Divina said Manda survived four previous encounters with police in Bulacan, resulting in the death of 10 of his men.