AN ALLEGED hitman of suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. and number 1 most wanted person in the Central Visayas died after he engaged policemen in a shootout as they were serving an arrest warrant against him.
The incident occurred past 10 a.m. on Monday, July 31, 2023 in Barangay Malabugas, Bayawan City, Negros Oriental.
The fatality was identified as Alex Manegos Mayagma, of legal age, a resident of Barangay Minaba, Bayawan City.
Mayagma had a pending warrant of arrest for murder and two warrants of arrest for violation of Republic Act 10591 or Illegal Possession of Firearms and the violation of Comelec gun ban.
According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, the spokesperson of Police Regional Office (PRO 7) Chief Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, Mayagma pulled out a weapon as the police were preparing to arrest him, prompting the cops to struggle for the handgun.
While on their way to the camp, Mayagma allegedly pulled another gun from his backpack and attempted to shoot the officers, prompting the latter to make the first move and opened fire.
The victim was brought to the nearest hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Pelare said they received information that the game farm where Mayagma was arrested was owned by Congressman Teves, but they still have to verify this.
"We have received reports that nga katong game farm nga nahitaboan was allegedly owned by Congressman Teves, we are still verifying if this information is true, then the next query nganong naa siya didto (why he was there), is there a relation between Alex Mayagma and the owner of the game farm," Pelare said.
The police are investigating whether Mayagma was involved in the murder of former Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo and eight other civilians inside his residential compound in Pamplona town on March 4, 2023.(AYB, TPT)