AN ex-cop wanted for a murder case in San Rafael, Bulacan in February last year and tagged as the no. 2 most wanted man in the municipality was killed in a shootout with agents of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) who were about to arrest him in Pampanga shortly before noon Thursday, a report to PNP chief, General Debold M. Sinas said.
Suspect Rolando Basmayor Jr., a Police Officer 2 who was dismissed from the police service in 2018 was about to be accosted by PNP-AKG operatives led by Major Ramon Czar Solas in his hiding place in Bgy. Sta. Monica in Floridablanca, Pampanga at 12:50 p.m. Thursday when he started firing at the officers.
Estomo said his men were forced to return fire, killing the suspect on the spot.
According to Estomo, members of the AKG Special Operations Unit headed by Lieutenant Colonel Wilfredo Sy were about to arrest the suspect on the strength of a warrant for murder issued by Judge Cristina Ramos-Beltran of the Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 83 on February 17 last year when he traded shots with the lawmen. No bail had been recommended for the temporary liberty of the accused.
Estomo said the dismissed cop is wanted for the killing of a civilian named Jaypee de Guzman in Bgy. Sumanding in San Rafael, Bulacan.
“We have received information that the suspect and his cohorts former a gun-for-hire syndicate responsible for a number of killings in Central Luzon prior to last Thursday’s encounter,” said the PNP-AKG director.
Recovered from the possession of the slain suspect were a caliber 9mm Daewoo pistol with a magazine containing 11 live ammunition, his PNP-issued 9mm Pietro Beretta 92FS pistol with its serial numbers already defaced and with a magazine with 14 bullets, an extra 9mm magazine with several live ammunition, a cal. .45 pistol with 10 bullets and an extended .45 magazine as well as a pair of gloves with suspected bloodstains.
