CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan — A robbery incident in the town of Marilao, on Monday night led to an armed encounter that resulted in the untimely death of the suspect, who was later identified as a police captain assigned in Caloocan City and a resident of Verde Heights Subdivision, Barangay Gaya-Gaya, City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.
According to a report on Tuesday morning, the case is now under investigation to determine possible links to a wider criminal group operating in Bulacan and nearby provinces.
Based on the report at about 8:30 p.m. a telephone call was received at the Marilao Police Station reporting a robbery in progress at a convenience store located in Barangay Sta. Rosa I, Marilao, Bulacan. Responding personnel immediately proceeded to the area and verified the report.
Initial investigation disclosed that the suspect, wearing a red jacket, entered the establishment posing as a customer. Moments later, he drew an unidentified handgun, declared a holdup, and took approximately ?20,000 in store sales before fleeing aboard a motorcycle toward Barangay Loma de Gato.
Police operatives from Marilao Municipal Police Station immediately launched a hot pursuit operation to identify and apprehend the suspect. During the operation, they chanced upon and attempted to flag down the suspect, who instead drew his firearm and fired at the operatives, prompting them to return fire. The suspect was hit during the exchange and was brought to the nearest hospital for medical treatment, where he was later declared dead by the attending physician.
Subsequent verification confirmed that the individual was a member of the law enforcement community, prompting the Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) to launch a comprehensive investigation to determine his possible involvement in a syndicate engaged in a series of robberies targeting convenience stores across Central Luzon.
P/Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio I. Peñones Jr., Regional Director of PRO3, expressed deep concern over the incident and underscored the importance of maintaining integrity, accountability, and professionalism within the organization.
“This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder that no one is above the law. Under the leadership of Acting Chief, PNP, PLTGEN Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PRO3 remains steadfast in advancing the PNP Focused Agenda on Enhanced Managing Police Operations (EMPO) and in pursuing our Strategic Direction to Protect the People, Pursue Peace and Order and Promote Professionalism. We will continue to strengthen our ranks and ensure that every action we take upholds public trust,” RD Peñones Jr added.
The Regional Director reaffirmed PRO3’s commitment to sustain its internal cleansing efforts and uphold transparency, discipline, and integrity in the delivery of police service across Central Luzon. (UnliNews Online)
