PNP-Army teams kill 3 hired guns in two shootouts in CL

BONGABON, Nueva Ecija— Police clashed against gun-for-hire and robbery syndicates in Central Luzon, killing one member of a group operating in Bulacan and two others from a separate gang that had just assassinated their target in Nueva Ecija last week.

Senior Supt. Crizaldo Nieves, Nueva Ecija Police Provincial Office (PPO), said his men, backed up by army soldiers, neutralized Oliver B. Moga, 37, married, of Barangay San Isidro, Laur Nueva Ecija; and Jeffrey M. Garcia, 35, married, Barangay Talipapa, Cabanatuan City, in a shootout in Bongabon town.

Prior to the shootout, Garcia and Moga, listed as the No. 8 most wanted man in Bongabon, allegedly gunned down Raymond A. Nicolas, 58, married, of Sitio Tamale, Barangay Digmala in the same town, Nieves said.

After the shootout, police collected the suspects’ Colt MK-IV .45-caliber pistol and black Euro motorcycle they used in their getaway.

Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Ferdinand O. Divina, Bulacan PPO director, said suspected holdupper and hired killer Ramillo Princena Uclaray, 32, of  Buguey, Cagayan, was killed in an exchange of gunfire with police and army soldiers in Barangay San Isidro, San Jose del Monte City (SJDM) last Wednesday night.

Supt. Charlie A. Cabradilla, SJDM chief of police, said Uclaray and his two cohorts — one, identified only as alias “Bunso” — were subjects of a hot pursuit operation after they allegedly took the service firearms of Privates First Class Junky G. Hidalgo and Jonald V. Lintac.

The two soldiers, from the Peace and Development Team (PDT) Alpha Company, were taken by surprise when the suspects, on board a Mitsubishi van, stopped in front of them on Igay Road and held them at gunpoint.

As the suspects sped off with their firearms, Hidalgo and Lintac radioed their company and a hot pursuit with police commenced.

The lawmen caught up with the suspects, who engaged them in a gun battle. While Uclaray was killed, his two cohorts escaped leaving behind the .45-cal. PT 1911 Taurus pistol stolen from PFC Hidalgo and one Uzi machine gun. (Sheen Crisologo and Freddie C. Velez)