The Calabarzon Philippine National Police identified yesterday the 13 members of an alleged armed syndicate, who were killed in joint police and military shootout at the checkpoint in the boundaries of Plaridel and Atimonan towns in Quezon Province Sunday.

Supt. Erwin Obal of the Calabarzon Police Regional Office, said that of the 13, three were policemen: Supt. Alfredo Perez Consemino of Purok 3 EM’s Barrio Camp Vicente Lim, Calamba City; PO1 Jeffrey Valdez of San Jose, Occidental Mindoro; and SPO1 Gruet Mantuano of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro.

Staff Sergeant Armando Lescano of 407 Lt. Ano Street, Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, was also named as one of the fatalities, along with Leonardo Marasigan, Conrado Decillo, Victorino Atienza Jr., and Jerry and Victor Siman, all residents of Brgy. Maunong, Calamba City, he added.

The three others were Tirso Lontoc Jr. of Brgy. Sta. Lucia in Dolores, Quezon; Jimbeam Dyico Justiniani of Quezon City; and Paul Arcedillo Quiohilag of Biñan, Laguna.

Police sources said the last slain suspect used two names, based on the identity cards they recovered at the crime scene: one bearing the name Victor Gonzales of Candaba, Pampanga, and another as Maximo Pelayo of Tigaon, Camarines Sur.

Obal said thorough investigations are being conducted, especially with the police units and the camp where the three cops and the soldier were allegedly assigned, respectively.

He added that the police and military operatives also seized 11 .45 caliber revolvers, a 9-mm pistol, a baby armalite, M16 and M14 rifles, all loaded with ammunitions.

The two Montero SUVs were registered under the name of a Gina Siman, whom initial investigations alleged to be a kin of the two slain victims from Calamba City, Obal said.

Disparaging speculations due to the involvement of the uniformed personnel, Obal said probers have checked on the alleged police and soldier’s mission orders (or assignment), or if they were covered by official leaves of absence for the holiday break.

He also said the police contacted the Lipa Airbase for verification of the slain soldier.

He said that carrying of firearms in civilian clothes is a major infraction in accordance with the gun law.

He said the Bicol PNP is coordinating with the Calabarzon police to probe the alleged syndicate’s nefarious activities in the Bicol region before crossing over to Quezon province.

Obal said his Bicol counterpart, Supt. Renato Bataller, said they are verifying whether the suspects came from Bicol, and are investigating their earlier activities.

Initial investigations showed that the first gunfire came from the suspects aboard the first Montero SUV, prompting military and police operatives to return fire.

Armed Forces of the Philippines, Maj. Gen. Eduardo Año, meanwhile, denied claims that Leonardo Marasigan and Maximo Pelayo were members of the military’s intelligence service.*PNA

back to top