PAGADIAN CITY – Security forces arrested over a dozen suspected hired killers, including a former mayor and a village chieftain, following a firefight in the town of Sominot in the southern Filipino province of Zamboanga del Sur, officials said Sunday.
Officials said police commandos, backed by army soldiers, were sent Saturday to arrest the suspects when gunmen opened fire at them sparking a fire fight. No was killed or injured in the gun battle and security forces managed to capture all 15 suspects, including the town’s former mayor, Stephen Acosta; and councilor Nemecia Pepito, president of village chieftains in Sominot.
Provincial police chief John Guyguyon said the gang members were allegedly involved in the series of shooting incidents in Sominot and in Oroquieta City in the neighboring province of Misamis Occidental.
He identified those other arrested as Arnel Pepito, who is the alleged leader of the Pepito Gun-for Hire Group; Garry Pepito, Edgar Pepito, Rey Pepito, Ruther Biawan, Allan Dicierdo, Anicito Andulong, Rolando Ramayrat, Romeo Capangpangan, Jesryl Romo, Lorenzo Malayao, Roberto Hasma and Romando Andrade.
“Security forces also seized automatic pistols from the suspects. “All arrested persons were brought to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Zamboanga Del Sur,” Guyguyon said, adding, the suspects were being interrogated to determine the extent of their criminal activities.
No other details or information were made available by the police or military to the killings allegedly perpetrated by the gang. (Mindanao Examiner)
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