The Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) has confirmed the death of suspected gang leader who was part of the government’s “narco-list”.
Jovenjie “Jojo” Alferez, 41, was killed in Tangub City, Misamis Occidental, in a shootout with police operatives on Tuesday evening (March 5).
Police said they recovered three sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and the suspect’s .38-caliber revolver at the encounter site.
Police Col. Danildo Tumanda, Misamis Occidental police provincial chief, said Alferez has been a subject of manhunt operation for the series of robbery incidents not only in Northern Mindanao but in other parts of the country.
“He (Alferez) never laid low after his release from prison for murder and robbery (charges). He still continued his old ways. He had been monitored dealing drugs aside from series of armed robberies,” Tumanda said.
Police Lt. Colonel Surki Sereñas, PRO-10 spokesperson, described Alferez as a notorious gang leader who had killed and wounded several police officers.
Even the former chief of police of Tangub City where Alferez was a resident, said the suspect nearly killed him in an encounter several years ago.
“He did it to me and other police officers. Luckily, I was not hit,” said retired police Lt. Col. Elias Hampac, recalling an incident in 2014 when Alferez was involved in a robbery.
Police Brig. General Timoteo Pacleb, PRO-10 chief, said Alferez’s group was involved in armed robberies, gun-for-hire, gun-running and illegal drugs trade.
Pacleb also said Alferez’s gang collaborated with other criminal groups such as the “Martilyo Gang” that operated in Manila, Cebu, Bohol, and Caraga Region.
“Misamis Occidental will be safer and better with the demise of Jojo Alferez. Appropriate awards will be given to our personnel for this highly commendable accomplishment,” Pacleb said. (PNA)
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