An alleged gunrunner was killed in a shootout with authorities on Thursday afternoon in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
Brig. Gen. Valeriano de Leon, Central Luzon director, identified the alleged gunrunner as Joselito Jose, alias “Jojo”, an electrician and resident of Brgy. Imelda in Cabanatuan.
Prior to the shootout, operatives of Cabanatuan City Police were able to buy a 32mm pistol from the suspect using two pieces of P1,000 and P500 marked money. The suspect was also the subject of a search warrant.
While the transaction was ongoing, Jose had sensed that he was dealing with a police officer, prompting him to draw his gun and shoot Police Cpl. Howell Bermejo.
Good thing, Bermejo was wearing his bullet vest.
The troops immediately fired back, hitting the suspect several times. He was rushed to Cabanatuan City Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Recovered at the crime scene were one 32mm pistol, .45-caliber pistol, and a cellular phone. (Liezle Basa Inigo, Ariel Avedano)
