Armed man killed in shootout with police
A 30-YEAR-OLD man died and his companion was wounded after they allegedly exchanged fire with the police in Sitio Lambing in Barangay Catarman, Lilo-an, Cebu, Wednesday evening, Aug. 7, 2019.
The police identified the fatality as Florencio Almerez Jr. Aldrin Lucernas, 22, was wounded in the gunfight.
Police Maj. Dan Colipano, Liloan police chief, said they received a report from a concerned citizen about two suspicious armed men on board a motorcycle who appeared to be surveying their area at 8:15 p.m on Wednesday.
“The police did not have any idea yet what the suspects looked like. When they arrived in the area, the suspects fired at them, commencing the exchange of gunfire that lasted for three to five minutes,” he said.
When asked why one of the suspects was handcuffed when he already appeared lifeless on the ground, Colipano said the armed men still attempted to attack the police officer even after they had been neutralized.
A medical team was called to bring Almerez Jr. to the Liloan Municipal Health Office where he was declared dead on arrival. Lucernas, meanwhile, was brought to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for treatment.
Colipano said they have yet to find out what the suspects were doing in Catarman in Liloan when they didn’t reside there.
None of the residents recognized the suspects, who are both from Barangay Looc, Danao City.
Police Master Sergeant Arnie Goc-ong, the investigator handling the case, said they will coordinate with the Danao City Police Station and other neighboring provincial stations to find out the suspects’ background to find out if they are involved in any illegal drug activities or have previous or pending criminal cases.
Lucernas will face charges for frustrated murder and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. /