Police arrest 5-armed men after chase

By ANTHONY BAYARONG - MANILA TIMES

CASTILLEJOS, Zambales: Police authorities arrested five armed men after a hot pursuit and an exchange of gunfire early morning Saturday.

Zambales Provincial Police Office, Director Police Senior Supt. Rolando Felix said the incident happened along the National Highway of Barangay Nagbunga, Castillejos at about 5 a.m.

Felix added that elements of the Zambales of the Castilejos Police Office headed by Police Insp. Gerry Haduca and the 315th Provincial Mobile Group led by Police Insp. Nilo Gonzales set up a check point after receiving information that a group of men were onboard a van and headed toward Zambales.

In his report Felix said the van was flagged down by authorities in a check point in Castillejos but instead the van, a Hyundai Grace with plate number WMG 790, ignored the police and fled off which led to the pursuit.

The van stopped when it hit a bridge railing and went out of control. The armed men fleeing the van fired at the police officer, which compelled authorities to fire back.

Police identified the wounded men as Don Ryan Kasuyuran, 28 years old, single resident of Bara¬ngay Paz, Tabuk, Kalinga; Randy Magdalas, 29, resident of Bara¬ngay Aligiya, Pinukpok, Kalinga; Jung Cayagan y Bogya, 27, resident of Tuga, Kalinga and Carlito Gamboa Jr., 25, Barangay Magsay¬say, Castil¬lejos, Zambales. Another suspect identified only as “Ed¬mund” managed to escape.

Recovered from the group were a Cal .45 pistol, Cal .22 Magnum/carbine type (pistolized), Six pieces assorted female jewelry, two hard plastic improvised plates numbers WGA 543, one magazine assembly of carbine type with nine cal .22 Magnum Ammunitions, one Cal .38 ammunition, three cal .45 ammunitions, P266, one cell phone, model 1100; and spurious IDs and a notebook with location diagram.

The suspects were taken to the James L. Gordon Hospital in Olongapo City for treatment.

Authorities are still investigating if the suspects belong to any armed group, gang or criminal group or robbery/hold up gang.