Shootout with cop they tried to rob: Rob gang leader killed, his companion injured

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines — A suspected leader of a robbery gang died, while another one was wounded on Monday when they were shot by a policeman, who they tried to rob using an M16 rifle replica, at Capitol Heights 2 in Barangay Villamonte of Bacolod City.

Police investigations showed that Police Officer 2 Eric Pableo, who was riding his motorcycle, was robbed at gunpoint by three suspects.

With his presence of mind, Pableo, who is assigned at the PNP Maritime Command headquarters at Barangay Banago of this city, managed to outgun the three suspects, by shooting them, using his issued 9mm Glock pistol.

Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of the Bacolod City Police Office, said Pableo managed to hit Johnny Villarete, alias JR, the alleged leader of the Villarete Criminal Gang, and wounded another suspect identified as Rustan Picardal.

The suspects’ companion, identified only as a certain Nino, however escaped on a blue Mitsubishi Adventure car, according to Ebreo.

The group of Villarete was linked by the police to a series of robbery-hold-up incidents in Bacolod City and neighboring areas. But Villarete, who was already arrested several times, managed to post bail on charges filed against him in court.

Picardal is now being treated of his gunshot wounds at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional in Bacolod City, while the recovered M16 rifle replica is now in the custody of the police.

The death of Villarete came a week after the police also neutralized a notorious drug group leader identified as Ramy Poja, who was also killed in a gunbattle with the police at Barangay Banago of this city, on May 24.