CEBU, Philippines - Two men were killed in a shootout with cops during a police operation in Barangay Maghaway, Talisay City yesterday afternoon.
One of the fatalities was identified as Joser Abacajan, the brother of Felix Abacajan Jr., the subject of the arrest warrant the policemen were implementing. The other man who was killed was unidentified as of yesterday.
The two fatalities were brought to the Talisay District Hospital but did not make it there alive.
Felix, a councilman in Barangay Maghaway, eluded arrest. The Municipal Trial Court issued a warrant against him for illegal possession of firearms.
Senior Insp. Leo Logronio, deputy chief of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, said they served the warrant at around 2 p.m. at Abacajan's house but only Joser and the unidentified companion were there and allegedly shot it out with the cops.
Felix reportedly arrived on board a vehicle and reportedly tried to rescue his brother but subsequently sped off.
Logronio said Abacajan brothers allegedly are hitmen and runners of illegal drugs of some drug personalities.
He said they have been investigating the movements of the brothers before serving the search warrant.
Police were able to recover assorted firearms, including three rifles, one shotgun, one KG 9mm, and assorted pistols with two magazines.
Logronio said Abacajan's group is believed to be behind the death of a police officer in Minglanilla.
Joser's wife, Naneth, said her husband did not resist arrest nor fought with the police.
She said her husband was a drug pusher but surrendered to authorities during Oplan Tokhang. After that, he worked as a carpenter.
Nokie, the stepmother of the Abacajan brothers, said the operation surprised her because she knows that her sons turned themselves over to the police last month.
She said Felix even reportedly said he will help the police encourage other drug personalities in their area to surrender.
Talisay police chief Aileen Recla they will monitor hospitals because it is possible that Felix was also injured and might seek medical assistance. (FREEMAN)