ROBBERY ENDS IN SHOOTOUT; 1 SUSPECT DEAD, ANOTHER ARRESTED

BY KEVIN GALANG

CAMP OLIVAS, City of San Fernando, Pampanga — A robbery incident in Nueva Ecija on Tuesday escalated into a police pursuit that ended with the arrest of one suspect and the death of another in an armed encounter.

Based on a report to Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) director Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones Jr., officers from the Gabaldon police received a report from a concerned citizen about a robbery holdup in Purok Ilang-Ilang, Bgy. Tagumpay in Gabaldon.

The victim, described as a female professional and a resident of Nueva Ecija, was allegedly approached by two armed men who declared a holdup.

The suspect fled after the burglary.

Responding officers immediately launched a hot pursuit operation and coordinated with nearby police units to intercept the suspects.

Members of the Bongabon Police Station conducted a dragnet operation in Bgy. Bantug, Bongabon.

Authorities attempted to flag down the motorcycle-riding suspects who allegedly ignored police orders and instead  sped away, triggering a chase. 

The suspects later crashed along a road pavement, after which one reportedly opened fire at pursuing officers, resulting in a shootout.

A police officer sustained gunshot wounds in the exchange of fire and was rushed to a medical facility before being transferred to a higher-level hospital for further treatment. 

One of the suspects was fatally wounded and declared dead on arrival at a hospital while the other was arrested at the scene.

Peñones commended the responding personnel for their swift and coordinated actions, stressing the importance of rapid response in preventing further harm to the public.