FIVE persons were killed in an early morning shootout with the police at Taloy Sur Proper along Marcos Highway in Tuba, Benguet at about 4:30 a.m. last June 30, 2021.
According to PROCOR Police Maarni Abellanida, the five persons are still being identified.
The five reportedly hijacked a vegetable truck in La Trinidad which they commandeered with their own vehicle.
Abellanida said that some of those who were killed were wearing PNP uniforms and IDs but they did not belong to the police force.
Abellanida said that one of those killed was wearing a PNP general office attire and was found with a Cal. 45 pistol.
Another was wearing a PNP athletic T-shirt and a 9mm rifle. He was also carrying a PNP card with the name PSMS Cesar A Blomes,
Another had an NBI card with the name Leovin Sondagon. Recovered from him was a Cal. 45 pistol.
Another was holding a PNP ID with the name PCMS Marvin A. Aquino as well as a Cal. 45 pistol.
The other two casualties were also carrying a Cal .45 pistol and a 9mm pistol.
Abellanida said they have no record of a Cesar Blomes and the Marvin A. Aquino they have on record was killed in 2016.
The five suspects, all killed, reportedly hijacked a vegetable truck identified as Isuzu Aluminum Wing with plate number ADH 3113 going down from Baguio.
The suspected hijackers also rode in a Chevrolet SUV.
The truck was reportedly hijacked at a trading post in La Trinidad and the driver was left there.
They were intercepted by a Benguet provincial police team led by PLt. Col. Maria Elvira Bautista. A shootout reportedly occurred until 5:30 a.m.
Police said they are still verifying the IDs carried by the suspects, who are now at a funeral home in Tuba.
Two of the retrieved pistols have the same serial number.
