3 holdup suspects slain in Malolos

CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan – Three alleged members of a notorious crime syndicate operating in Central Luzon were killed in a running gunfight with lawmen March 4 in Barangay Ligas, City of Malolos in this province.

Police said the killing of the suspects foiled the group's apparent plan to rob a credit cooperative.

Supt. David Poklay, assistant police director for intelligence and operation, said they received information from an asset that a robbery holdup group led by a certain Manny was planning to rob a credit cooperative in Barangay Ligas.

Police immediately conducted a stakeout in the area and established observation posts.
The operating team later spotted a Yamaha motorcycle followed by motorized tricycle but when the lawmen flagged down the vehicles, the suspects sped off and opened fire at the officers, triggering a running gunbattle.

Two suspects on board the motorized tricycle were immediately killed while their two cohorts on board the motorcycle were able to escape for a while.

Later, one of the men was also hit by pursuing policemen and fell off the motorcycle, but the suspect died while being brought to the Bulacan Medical Center.

Police said the fourth suspect who was armed with a shotgun made good his escape.

One of the slain suspects was identified through his driver’s license as Regino Melca Hormillija, 43, of Barangay Catmon, Malolos City. Found in his possession was a .38 caliber revolver with five live rounds and an empty shell.

A location sketch of the credit cooperative supposedly being targeted by the group was found in Hormillija’s pocket, while a home-made caliber .38 revolver was also found in his unidentified passenger.