FOUR men were arrested after a firefight with police operatives in San Simon town in Pampanga last Tuesday.
The Central Luzon Police Regional Office said the four introduced themselves as soldiers after their arrest. One of them was shot in the neck and brought to a nearby hospital.
The police office said a 39-year-old driver it identified only as “Mark” reported that a silver Toyota Innova van “had been suspiciously following his vehicle between San Simon and Valenzuela City over the past five days.”
The van was sighted near Global Aseana Park 1 in Barangay San Isidro in San Simon on Tuesday, the police said. At around 2:40 p.m., responding policemen located the vehicle at a gas station in the same barangay.
The lawmen introduced themselves as policemen but one of the suspects drew a firearm as they fled aboard the van.
The lawmen returned fire to prevent the suspects from escaping. The suspects managed to flee but were eventually intercepted on Quezon Road, also in Barangay San Isidro.
The police did not identify the suspects.
Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, asked if the suspects are members of the Philippine Army, said, “We are still validating their identities to determine if they are members of the Army.”
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Central Luzon police director and concurrent PNP spokesperson, said the suspects introduced themselves as soldiers.
“They said they were on a mission but there was no coordination whatsoever even at the level of provincial, municipal, at the level of the regional headquarters (of the PNP),” said Fajardo.
Fajardo said they are coordinating with the Armed Forces to determine the background of these soldiers.
Seized from the suspects were two handguns, magazines, ammunition, four two-way radios, four driver’s licenses, four AFP identification cards, three bags, video camera, and the Innova van.
Fajardo said the soldiers will face charges of unjust vexation and violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act) in relation to the election gun ban.
“The gun ban is in full force and applies to everyone, regardless of position, rank, or affiliation. Uniformed personnel are not exempt. We will not allow anyone to compromise public safety, especially during the election period,” said Fajardo.
