Police on Saturday arrested the most wanted person in Batangas after a brief gunfight in General Trias, Cavite.
Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, director of the Philippine National Police Regional Office 4-A (Calabarzon or Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area), identified the suspect as Romnick Reyes, who had warrants of arrest for homicide and robbery in Batangas.
Eleazar said police tracked Reyes at around 8 p.m. in Barangay Buenavista 3 but opened fire at lawmen.
A brief chase ensued until he was cornered in a barangay hall. Reyes sustained a bullet wound in the abdomen during the chase.
“He was cornered when he entered a barangay hall. He was wounded in the abdomen during a brief fight with our operatives,” said Eleazar. He said the suspect was taken to the hospital.
Based on initial investigation, Reyes was convicted for homicide and was released after serving his sentence at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City.
Weeks after his release, Reyes reportedly robbed a computer shop and a rice store in Batangas and engaged in contract killings.
Eleazar said Reyes was able to recruit some men and expanded his operations in Cavite and Laguna.
“He is facing two cases of homicide. Based on the background check, he is also into gun-for-hire activities wherein the minimum payment is R40,000,” said Eleazar.
Eleazar said Reyes’ companion informed police of his whereabouts after he was arrested in Batangas last May 12.
Police also engaged Reyes in a gunfight in Laurel, Batangas but he eventually escaped. (Aaron B. Recuenco)
