DANAO.-Two robbery suspects were no match to the combined firepower of Danao policemen in an alleged shootout in this interior town mid-afternoon Wednesday. The two shootout victims were identified as Joselito Arong, 35, of barangay Badiang, Inabanga town and Randy Maniquez, 25, a resident of Macaas, Tubigon town. At least two recent robberies in Tubigon and Inabanga were credited to the suspects although investigators are not discounting possibilities that they were part of a larger robbery gang operating in northern Bohol towns. In a spot report submitted by Police Inspector Lobregas Nuez, Danao police chief, to Police Senior Supt. Constantino Paul Barot, Jr., provincial police director, it was gathered that the two robbed a sari-sari store inside the town market Wednesday afternoon. Beat policemen chanced upon the duo who were riding in tandem with a motorcycle and gave chase. Fleeing in the direction of barangay Remedios, a crossroad either on the way to Getafe and San Miguel towns, pursuing policemen caught up with the pair in a place surrounded with thick vegetation.

Reports said the pursuing lawmen were fired at by the two suspects forcing the pursuers to fire back. Armed with handguns, a 38 cal. revolver and a 357 pistol, the suspects engaged the lawmen in an exchange of gunfire resulting in the instant death of the duo. Arong took a bullet in his back while his partner in crime suffered at least four gunshot wounds in the different parts of his body causing their instantaneous death. Earlier, the two robbed a sari-sari store owned by a certain Allan Badilla y Quintano, 36, the store owner of Alan & June Ryan Sari-sari Store inside the Danao public market. Dr. Gregorio Salarda, municipal health officer, conducted the post-mortem investigation after the two’s instant death. Some P10,550,00 and a Yamaha Crypton motorcycle were recovered from the crime scene. The money which was believed to be the loot of the robbery was found tucked in the underwear of one the suspects.  With the death of the two suspected robbers, police are looking into the possibility that they could be responsible to other robberies in the past especially collectors of lending companies.

COMMENDATION

Meanwhile, Mayor Tom Gonzaga of this municipality expressed elation over the fast resolution of the robbery case at the public market of his town. The mayor took time out to express thanks to the Danao police headed by its chief for solving the crime as soon as it was committed.  Mayor Gonzaga said a commendation was in order for the policemen who participated in the shootout.  He also thanked the people who were instrumental in informing the police for immediate action.  The mayor credited the early solution of the crime to police visibility.  Although located in the heartland of Bohol, Danao is now a tourist destination after the LGU succeeded in pursuing an aggressive tourism program by way of its famous zip lines, now touted as the longest in Asia. Following the success of its tourist project, Danao, once a sleepy municipality is now bustling with economic activities as domestic and foreign tourists alike were mesmerized with its breathtaking zip line rides. (With reports from RVO)