'Contract killer' killed in Zamboanga del Sur firefight

ONE of the suspects in the ambush-slay attempt of a lawmaker almost four years ago was killed in a firefight with policemen in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, an official said Monday, July 23.

Chief Superintendent Edwin De Ocampo, deputy regional director for administration (DRDA), identified the slain suspect as Ronel Japay alias Jimboy, an alleged "contract killer" commonly known as "gun-for-hire."

De Ocampo said Japay was killed in a counter-strike operation around 4 p.m. Sunday, July 22, in Barangay Campo Dos, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.

De Ocampo said Japay escaped by passing through a steep ravine after he resisted and engaged in a firefight with the policemen. But the cops continued to pursue Japay and later pinned him down when another firefight ensued.

Recovered from the suspect's possession was a caliber .45 pistol with several rounds of live ammunition.

Also recovered inside the utility box compartment of the suspect's motorcycle was a hand grenade.

De Ocampo said Japay was a follower of former mayor Stephen Acosta of Sominot, Zamboanga del Sur. They belong to the so-called Pepito gun-for-hire or contract killers led by Arnel Quimno Pepito.

Acosta, along with 14 others, including Pepito, were arrested by policemen in a law enforcement operation on May 5 in the village of Poblacion, Sominot town.

De Ocampo said Japay, a rebel returnee, is believed to have been involved in the ambush-slay attempt of Iligan City Representative Vicente Belmonte Jr. on December 11, 2014 near the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

Belmonte survived the ambush although wounded, while four of his escorts and staff members were killed.

De Ocampo said that Japay was also allegedly involved in the shooting of Luz Yabo on June 24 in Barangay Monte Alegre, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur. (SunStar Philippines)

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