Two men, one of them a dismissed militiaman, allegedly involved in series of robbery-hold-up incidents, were killed in a gunbattle with soldiers during the weekend in Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, the police said.

A civilian identified as Anthony Casipong was also hit by a stray bullet in his left foot. Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, 611th Provincial Mobile Group director, yesterday identified the fatalities as former CAFGU member Norberto Gallego, 41, and his nephew, Crisanto Gallego, 36.

Initial police investigations show that Gallego and his nephew who were having a drinking spree, allegedly opened fire at the joint teams of soldiers and militiamen assigned at Bug-ang and Marcelo detachments who arrived at the public market of Brgy. Minapasok, Calatrava, to investigate reports on the presence of armed men and arrest one of the 10 most wanted persons in the country, based on information relayed to them by 611th Provincial Mobile Group intelligence operatives.

Ordaniel said the gunbattle estimated, to last 10 minutes at about 7 p.m. of March 10 claimed the lives of Gallego and his nephew, who have large families living in Brgy.Minapasok, Calatrava.

Citing claims of soldiers who figured in the gunbattle, Ordaniel said gunfire from automatic rifles were also heard from the different houses, while soldiers and the two Gallegos allegedly traded shots with government forces. A .38 caliber revolver with three empty shells and three live ammunition on its chamber, which was allegedly taken from Norberto, was turned over by Army soldiers to the 611th PMG operatives.

Ordaniel said they are still checking if Crisanto Gallego is Amay Gallego who has a pending arrest warrant murder issued by the La Carlota City Regional Trial Court, for shooting to death a policeman two years ago.

There is a reward of P300,000 for the arrest of Amay Gallego, Ordaniel said.

Lt. Col. Felicisimo Budiongan, Task Group North commander, yesterday said a combined teams of soldiers and CAFGUs led by Sgts. Rene Maribao and Artecy Badaran encountered a group of wanted persons in Brgy.Minapasok, Calatrava, on Saturday night.

Budiongan said they have received reports that Crisanto, who was reported to have a pending arrest warrant for murder, has a bounty of P300,000 for his capture.

Crisanto who was able to escape during the gunbattle, was found dying early morning yesterday in a forested area of the barangay, minus his .45 caliber pistol, Budiongan added.

However, he added, Crisanto was declared dead on arrival at the Calatrava District Hospital where he was brought by soldiers.

Ordaniel said Norberto was dismissed as CAFGU member assigned at the Marcelo detachment, allegedly for his involvement in robbery-hold-up and related activities in Brgys. Marcelo and Minapasok in Calatrava.

Police investigations also showed that Norberto sustained a gunshot wound in the breast, while Crisanto had gunshot wounds in the right side of his face and leg.

Ordaniel advised the Calatrava police investigators to subject the two victims to paraffin tests, to determine if they had fired guns.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, provincial police director, yesterday said they are still checking if the two Gallegos also have pending arrest warrants against them.*GPB

back to top