3 contract killers shot dead in Batangas

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — Three alleged guns-for-hire were killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers in Taysan, Batangas yesterday.

Police said Solomon Panal, Virgilio Hernandez and Efren Cruzada, who were in a gray Toyota Hi-Ace, refused to pull over at a checkpoint in Barangay Bilogo at 9:15 a.m. and instead fired at police officers. The suspects died at the scene.

Senior Superintendent Edwin Quilates, Batangas police director, said the group was reportedly hired to assassinate a still unidentified businessman and were conducting surveillance against their target when the shootout occurred.

Senior Inspector Kermin Amor Cabrales, Batangas police spokesman, said the fatalities were tagged in a series of contract killings and robberies not only in Batangas but also in Pampanga, Bulacan and Metro Manila. – Emmanuel Tupas