P’sinan gun-for-hire group member slain in shootout

By Mar T. Supnad 

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union- A member of the notorious  “Mamerto gun-for-hire” group was killed Wednesday in Sta. Maria, Pangasinan after he engaged in a shootout Provincial Intelligence Branch and Sta. Maria Police Station, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office.

Brig. Gen. Joel S Orduña, acting regional director of Police Regional Office 1, said the suspect identified as verson Aguilar Mamerto fired upon the arresting team using a short firearm while trying to elude arrest which prompted the operatives to retaliate.

The suspect was a resident of Barangay Cal-litang, Sta Maria.

Orduńa said the suspect was involved in illegal drugs activities and was identified as a member of Mamerto assassination group included in the target list of criminal groups in Pangasinan.

Reports reaching here said joint members of Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company, Provincial Investigation and Detection Management Branch and Sta Maria Police Station under the supervision of Lt. Colonel Jay B. Baybayan, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations, Pangasinan Police Provincial Office implemented search warrant issued by Jervin Jovito S. Samadan, acting presiding judge of RTC Branch 70, Burgos, Pangasinan at the house of Mamerto that triggered the shootout.

Recovered were the following items: Vivo cellphone, airgun, seven  empty shelld  for Cal .45, 16  empty shells of Cal. 9mm and a bullet proof vest.

A Cal. 45 with magazine inserted loaded with three live bullets was also confiscated.

Mamerto was brought to Asingan Community Hospital, Asingan, Pangasinan but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

 Brig. Gen. Orduña ordered ballistics examination and cross matching of the said firearm to identify possible linkages with other crimes committed in the region.