Escapee killed in hot pursuit

CEBU, Philippines — The inmate who escaped from his police escort was killed after shooting it out with the authorities during the manhunt operation, shortly before 10 p.m. Thursday.

The police immediately conducted a hot pursuit operation after Noah Niez, an inmate from Mabolo Police Station, escaped from the authorities while he was onboard a police vehicle.

The manhunt operation lasted ten hours where police have no idea yet where Niez have ran off during those hours.

At around 9 p.m, Niez was spotted at Ludo Cemetery in Barangay Carreta, Cebu City.

“Instead of surrendering, ning-bunot na nuon sya og armas which prompted our police nga tirahan sya, nga mi-resulta sa iyang kamatayon,” said Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office.

“Nya kana nga area dira grabe ka congested man gud, lisud na sya sudlon,” he said.

When asked if where could Niez possibly got his firearm, Parilla said that they currently don’t have any idea, adding that when he was arrested during a buy-bust operation, no weapon was found from his possession.

“Wala nato na mahibaw-i kung asa gikan ang iyang armas kay pagkadakop ani niya before wala man ni siyay armas, so posible nga iya ning natagoan iyang armas pagkadakop before then karon nga nakatakas sya, iya gihapong gigamit, mao gihapong armasa,” said Parilla.

To see if the firearm Niez used during the shootout with the authorities indeed belongs to him, Parilla said the gun will be subjected into a ballistic examination.

The examination will also determine if the firearm was the same Niez used to kill the construction worker which he claimed of shooting.

Parilla said that Niez, who was arrested during a buy-bust operation last July 16, admitted to have killed a construction worker last July 13 for robbery motive.

Parilla also said that the escorts of Niez during his escape will be placed under investigation.

If lapses are proven, they will be facing administrative charges.

It was reported that aside from his involvement in illegal drugs, Niez was also known to be a notorious robber in Barangay Carreta.

“Duna’y mga insidente diha before nga wala ma-report sa station but nakuha nato nga information mo fit sa iyang description, so that’s why dali ra syang nailhan atong atoang mga witnesses during sa incident sa pagpusil atong isa ka biktima,” said Parilla. —GMR (FREEMAN)