ZamboSur’s most wanted person killed in a firefight

By Gideon C. Corgue

Monday 11th of June 2012

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, June 11 (PIA) -- Zamboanga del Sur’s most wanted person was killed in a firefight between police authorities and armed men in Barangay Benuatan, Dinas on June 4. The suspect, identified was as Moamar Mama Bantilan, aka “Totong Angeles” was a resident of Benuatan.

This was officially announced by Philippine National Police provincial director Sr. Supt. William Mananzan at a press conference on Wednesday at the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO’s) conference room with Supt. George Galano, assistant provincial director for administration, Inspector Simplicio Pasaol, police community relations office chief, Sr. Insp. Homer Dumalag, chief of police of Dinas municipal police station, and Insp. Harry Velez, deputy chief of police.

Mananzan said the suspect gained notoriety of being the head of lawless group operating not only in Pagadian but also in the municipality of Dinas has pending warrants of arrest at the Regional Trial Court Branch 29 of Pagadian City for the crime of murder issued by presiding Judge Edilberto Absin and robbery at the RTC Branch 20 issued by presiding judge Romeo Descallar, respectively.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, Mananzan said, has put up P100,000 reward for anyone who could give information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect.

Mananzan said the PNP, led by Inspector Velez were informed on the presence of armed men at the house of the suspect. “The police quickly moved to the scene and were able to neutralize the group,” he added.

Velez said the suspect exchanged fire with the troop. “He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene,” he added.

Sr. Inspector Dumalag said the other members of the armed group immediately fled in unknown direction.

“The local chief executive, businessmen, and residents here were certainly very happy that the armed group who were involved in organized extortion and criminal activities was no longer operating in the area,” Dumalag proudly reported.

“We want Dinas to be a safe municipality and we also want for people to continue what they do every day,” Dumalag said who is barely four months of assignment in the area as chief of police.

“We’re not going to tolerate this in our municipality and we’ll arrest those who plan to disturb the peace and order,” he insisted.

Recovered at the crime scene were one caliber 45 pistol and one improvised hand grenade. (NBE/GCC-PIA9, ZamboSur)