After hijacking truck in La Trinidad 2 ‘cops,’ 3 men killed in gunfight with police

TUBA, Benguet – Two “cops” and three men were killed in a gunfight with pursuing police here early Wednesday morning (June 30) on Marcos Highway here at Taloy Sur after reportedly hijacking a truck around 1 a.m. in the capital town of La Trinidad. 

    Police Regional Office-Cordillera director Police Brig. Gen. Ronald Oliver Lee said the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory Service is still determining identity of the slain men.
    A regional police report said La Trinidad police issued a flash alarm about a hijacking incident involving an Isuzu aluminum wing van truck with license plates ADH-3116 and a Chevrolet sports utility vehicle without license plates (SUV) in the town at 3 a.m.
    The Regional Highway Patrol Group-Cordillera and local police conducted hot pursuit operation in Taloy Sur Proper here, leading to an encounter on the Baguio-bound lane with the suspects.
    Lee said based on reports from the scene-of-the-crime operations, one of the suspects was wearing a PNP GOA type B uniform and black leather shoes.

    A black pouch recovered from his left back pocket contained PNP ID card with the name Police Chief Master Sgt. Marvin A. Aquino.

    Another suspect was wearing PNP athletic T-shirt and camouflage green pants and black leather shoes.

    A small yellow pouch from his front pocket had a PNP ID card with the name Police Senior Master Sgt. Cesar Alpha Blomes and Philhealth ID card with name David Dasala Rapal.

    The police report said one of the suspects identified as “Nick” rented the van truck and agreed to meet with the driver named “Ali” at the parking area at The Swamp  where the Strawberry Fields are located in Barangay Betag.

    Upon lending the vehicle, ”Ali” was reportedly forced to hand over the truck and drive the suspects away so they can pass by the checkpoints without being noticed.

    Upon reaching a dark portion of Longlong Road, La Trinidad, suspects dropped off the driver and left.

    “Ali” immediately sought help and called his wife to report the incident to La Trinidad police who alerted lawmen caught up with them at Taloy Sur, Marcos Highway.

    They were asked to stop, but they sped up their vehicle and fired upon police, 

    This prompted lawmen to fire back that resulted to immediate death of all the suspects.

    Police are still investigating to identify the suspects who were brought to a funeral parlor even as crime scene was checked.