3 ‘assassins’ slain in gun- battle with cops in Abra

 BANGUED, Abra -- Three armed men, believed to be “guns-for-hire” and involved in illegal drugs were killed in a gun battle with elements of the police Regional Force Battalion here early morning of July 11 at Barangay Cosili.

The men were earlier observed on board a tricycle cruising Zone 7 before suddenly speeding up in a quick turn-around before reaching an RMFB mobile checkpoint at Barangay Anggad.

The suspicious maneuver prompted policemen at the checkpoint to pursue and motion the occupants to stop.

Instead of stopping, the men fired shots at the police vehicle prompting a running gunbattle that ended when the tricycle reached Cosili where the men scampered in different directions while still shooting at the pursuing RMFB troops.

The gunbattle ended around 2 a,m, when gunfire from the three stopped.

The three slain men were identified as Michael Gonzales, 40, married, tricycle driver, of Barangay Lubong, Bangued,

Another who was  released from jail in January under plea bargaining agreement for violation of  Republic Act 9165 or illegal drugs was Ariel Velasquez Isao, 29, unemployed, of Barangay Arab, Pidigan town

and residing in Barangay Sta Rosa, Bangued.

Isao was previously charged for violation of Republic Act 10591 on Nov. 20 2018 and out on bail. He was also charged for frustrated murder in 2016.

Also slain was Glenford Soria Agaid, 30, unemployed and resident of Namarabar, Peñarrubia town who was out on parole for homicide. 

Recovered from the body of Isao were pictures of a police officer and one Clarence Valera, both believed to be targets of assassination of the three men.

The three were each armed with Cal.45 and 9 m.m. pistol. Sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or ‘shabu’ were found in bodies of Isao and Agaid.

Following the incident, regional police director Brig/ Gen. Israel Ephraim T. Dickson, said Abra has not yet been totally cleared of  notorious business of illegal drugs and guns-for-hire.

He urged provincial and municipal peace and order councils and anti-drug abuse councils in Abra to convene as soon as possible to set plans against guns-for-hire and illegal drugs.