A fugitive wanted for frustrated murder who is also a suspect in a series of killings was able to elude security forces on Monday after engaging arresting police and military in a shootout in Buenavista.
Suspect Emidio Aparece, Jr. fired shots at Buenavista police and personnel of the Army’s 47th Infantry Battalion (IB) who were about to serve an arrest warrant at his residence in Brgy. Putingbato at 2:30 p.m.
Police said that Aparece and two armed companions repeatedly shot at the authorities while retreating toward a grassland as they escaped.
The police and army engaged Aparece and the unidentified men in a firefight but the suspects shortly after were able to flee. No one from both sides were injured.
According to police, the initial operation was set up after they received reports from residents in the village which confirmed the wanted man’s presence in the area.
Following the encounter, a manhunt against the three suspects was launched, police added.
Aparece had previously escaped from police in an operation which resulted in the death of two of the suspect’s companions in Buenavista.
Aparece was reportedly the first to shoot at police who were deployed to arrest him and members of his group on September 5, 2016.
After firing shots at police, Aparece immediately fled along with one Rolando Cosef leaving behind other members of his group including Jiggs Laruga and Kenken Abanda who were killed during the operation.
Laruga and Abanda were wanted for attempted homicide and frustrated murder, respectively. (Allen Dodydora)Â