Tandem-riding hitmen killed by Urdaneta cops
URDANETA CITY–Two hitmen riding a motorcycle in tandem were shot dead in a shootout with elements of the Urdaneta Police at 3:20 a.m. on Friday in Sitio Awed in Barangay Palina East.
The shootout happened minutes after the duo shot to death a tricycle driver along the highway in Barangay San Vicente, Urdaneta.
A report quoting Supt. Marceliano Desamito Jr., chief of police of Urdaneta before press time stated, that patrollers of the Urdaneta Police chased the suspects when they were seen to be avoiding a police checkpoint in Barangay Camantiles.
Desamito identified one of the two dead as Rolando de la Torre Apolinario, 41, of Cabanatuan City. The other was not identified.
The man they shot dead along the highway in Barangay San Vicente could not be identified in the absence of any identification card on him.
Lawmen recovered two Caliber 45 pistols from the dead suspects. Also recovered was one cellphone which contains text messages containing names of several persons. This was submitted to the Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) for forensic examination.
Believing that the suspects were hitmen of a syndicate engaged in illegal drugs out to liquidate pushers they had dealt with, Desamito said the cellphone could give investigators a clue into their illegal operations.
He said no policeman was wounded in the shootout although the patrol vehicle was hit by two bullets. (Leonardo Micua)
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