Vice mayor’s slay suspect killed in ‘shootout’

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — A suspect in the murder of a vice mayor in Quezon province was killed in an alleged shootout in Tayabas on Friday.

The fatality, identified only as Orlando, 52, died while being treated at the Tayabas Community Hospital, according to Lt. Col Elizabeth Capistrano, Tayabas police chief.

Reports said members of the Tayabas police went to the alleged hideout of the suspect in Barangay Malao-a to serve three arrest warrants for murder, illegal possession of firearms and traffic violations.

The suspect, sensing the arrival of the arresting team, reportedly drew a gun and shot the policemen, triggering a firefight that resulted in his death.

Orlando was tagged as one of the gunmen in the murder of former vice mayor Danilo Amat of Dolores town.

Amat was shot dead in San Pablo City, Laguna in July 2022.

Capistrano said Orlando went into hiding for almost three years until a police tracker found his alleged hideout with the help of residents.