PNP Headquarters (PNA file photo)
MANILA– Three suspects who shot and killed two members of the Philippine National Police on Saturday in Mabalacat, Pampanga, were arrested during a pursuit operation.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin identified the suspects as Jun Jun Espiritu Baluyut, 44; Aries Espiritu Bagsic, 40; and Leslie Placiente, 30.
They were arrested minutes after allegedly killing Master Sgt. Sofronio Capitle Jr. and Staff Sgt. Dominador Gacusan Jr., both members of Mabalacat City Police Station (CPS)-Station Drug Enforcement Unit (SDEU), on South Daang Bakal Road, Barangay Dau, Mabalacat City, around 3:30 a.m. Saturday.
Initial investigation said the two cops were about to board a motorcycle after an anti-narcotics operation around 3:30 a.m. when five armed men shot them.
Based on witnesses' accounts, the suspects alighted from their motorcycles and, at point-blank, shot the victims in the head.
Police immediately conducted a pursuit operation that led to the arrest of three of the five suspects.
Azurin has ordered the police regional office to conduct a thorough probe and pursuit operation to arrest the remaining suspects. (PNA)
