Pangasinan most wanted person killed in shootout

By Mar T. Supnad

SUAL, Pangasinan- A top most wanted person who is facing charges of murder and is under the police “order of battle” was killed Tuesday night when he shot it out with the arresting policemen here at Sitio Ballog, Narangay Baybay Sur.

Chief Supt. Franklin Bucayu, Region 1 Philippine National Police director, quoting reports received by his office from Pangasinan PNP, said Felix Menor, Pangasinan’s most wanted person, engaged in a gun battle with the policemen who tried to serve a warrant of arrest against him.

Supt. Gerry Roxas, public information officer, said policemen led by Supt. Wilson Lopez, chief of Provincial Intelligence Bureau, were trying to arrest him when the victim fired at the policemen, prompting the lawmen to fire back and hit the wanted person.

Roxas said the victim was armed with a Cal. 45 handgun and hand grenade during the firefight.

The shootout came after a policeman was killed and another was wounded few days ago when they encountered a group of gun for hire syndicate in Sta. Maria town.

Reports said P02 Roderick Ballesca died while being rushed to a hospital while P03 Sherwin Cuenta suffered gunshot wounds after the shootout with the armed group.

After the gun battle, Bucayu said that his men arrested Larry Garasin of San Roque, San Nicolas town and Nelson Navarro, reportedly a barangay councilman of San Mariano, Sta. Maria town.

Menor was facing murder charges before Regional Trial Court branch 39 in Lingayen.