A LEADER of a criminal gang and an alleged notorious robber died in a shootout with personnel of Police Station 2 at Barangay Villamonte, Bacolod City on Monday, October 8.
Senior Inspector Leo Estopa, head of Police Station 2, identified the fatality as Joneven Pulgo, 30, of the said village.
Estopa said the shootout came after Pulgo and his companion identified as a certain “Jan-Jan Beatingo” allegedly robbed a woman who was on her way home, along with a pregnant friend, on 10th Lacson Streets in Barangay past 9 p.m.
SunStar Bacolod withheld the name of the victim.
Pulgo and Beatingo were riding a motorcycle when they allegedly carted away the woman’s bag containing accessories, Identification cards, and documents. No cash, gadgets, and other valuables were stolen.
The victim and her friend were unharmed but it caused them fear.
The victim was able to seek help from the police when she immediately reported the incident at the police station.
Estopa said he immediately dispatched troops for a pursuit operation to chase the two suspects who exited through Villamonte village.
“We learned about their pattern because they would usually use Villamonte village as their exit point when they strike on Lacson Street,” he added.
Both suspects stopped at a dimly-lit portion of the road and left their motorcycle at the roadside when they sighted the presence of the policemen, Estopa said.
The suspects then ran towards the sugarcane plantation, where the brief shootout happened, he added.
The station commander said Beatingo allegedly fired at the policemen, which prompted the latter to retaliate.
Estopa said Pulgo was not able to fire at the police but he was hit instead.
He sustained a lone gunshot wound on his hips. Pulgo expired at the hospital the following day, Estopa said.
No injuries were reported on the government side.
Police recovered from the crime scene were Pulgo’s homemade shotgun and two ammunition.
Estopa said Beatingo was able to escape, along with his alleged .38 caliber revolver. The stolen items were also not recovered.
“We do not know if he (Beatingo) was also hit during the shootout,” he added.
Estopa said they learned that the two suspects just recently posted bail for a robbery-holdup case in Murcia town.
He also said that the two suspects are notorious robbers in the city and have three other companions in their group.
“They are also even being monitored by other police stations,” Estopa said.
Estopa refused to divulge details about Beatingo’s whereabouts as the manhunt operation continues.