2 Suspected Crime Gang Members Killed in Shootout with Police in South Cebu

Two suspected members of a criminal gang were killed Wednesday morning in a shootout with responding policemen in Sitio Losno, Barangay Langin, Ronda town in southern Cebu.

The police in neighboring Dumanjug town which led the operation identified the fatalities as Wilfred Albios and Marciano Tiwan alias Amar.

Their bodies were brought to a funeral home in Ronda.

Senior Insp. Arvi Abuis, Dumanjug police chief, earlier identified Tiwan as among the suspects in the strafing of the Mitsubishi Pajero of Rene Asentista, a vice mayoralty candidate of the Liberal Party in Dumanjug town in Barangay Masa on Friday, Dec. 4.

Police also arrested after the shootout Bemar James Mejares, who is reportedly the most wanted criminal in Argao town, with pending cases for murder and frustrated murder.

Police said the shootout occurred near the boundaries shared by Dumanjug, Ronda and Argao.

Abuis said the Dumanjug police station received a call at 2 a.m. Wednesday on the presence in Barangay Masa of men believed to be the suspects who strafed Asentista’s vehicle last Dec. 4.

The shootout started when the men reportedly opened fire at about 5 a.m. Wednesday at the responding policemen.

Police said they recovered several firearms from the scene of the shootout.

The strafing incident in Barangay Masa, Dumanjug prompted the Cebu Provincial Board to pass a resolution asking the Commission on Elections to put the town under the election watchlist areas (EWA). (PNA) FFC/EB/EDS