2 ‘OzamisGroup’ gangmen killed in gunfight with cops

ASINGAN, Pangasinan -- Police killed two suspected members of the “Ozamis Group,” a notorious robbery-holdup gang, in a running gunbattle here night of June 29.

Senior Insp. Ryan Manongdo, spokesman of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, said the gunfight began at 7:20 p.m. when operatives of the Criminal Investigation Detection Group in Region 1 intercepted the suspects while on board a stolen taxicab, with Plate No. UWE-589, in Barangay Bantog, Asingan.

“They (suspects) fired at the (CIDG) personnel, and it was when the shootout came next,” said Manongdo.

The alleged gang members were later identified as Aguiles Senagan and Jose Gabayan.

Police said one of the suspects opened fire as law enforcers were approaching the taxi, forcing the law enforcers to shoot back.

Police said the taxi was stolen in Manila as reported by its driver.

Found in the suspects’ possession were two .45-caliber pistols and a magazine with seven bullets.

Meanwhile, farmer Ronald Pidlaoan, 42, who allegedly used to be a member of a kidnapping and gun-for-hire gang, was gunned down by motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Bayaoas, Urbiztondo town, also in Pangasinan, that day.