CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga – Police busted a Nueva Ecija-based criminal group following the death of its leader and three other members in a brief but fierce exchange of gunfire along the Apalit-Macabebe Road at Barangay Colgante, Apalit, Pampanga dawn Friday.
Senior Supt. Joel Consulta, director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, identified the prime suspect as Julito Fajardo Basilio of Purok 3, Brgy. Cama Juan, San Antonio, Nueva Ecija, and alleged leader of the dreaded “Basilio Gang”.
Police identified two others as Melchor Cucal Ruiz, of Brgy. Hulo, Sto. Domingo, Nueva Ecija; Nestor Vargas Estabillo of Brgy. Malaya, Sto Domingo, Nueva Ecija.
One suspect remained unidentified as of press time.
Consulta said the Basilio Gang is operating in Nueva Ecija and other parts of Central Luzon, engaged in gun-for-hire, carnapping and illegal drugs activities.
Most of the Basilio Gang members have pending criminal cases in various courts in Cabanatuan City and nearby provinces in the region, it was gathered.
Consulta said the suspects, riding two separate motorcycles, were spotted by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (3CIDU) and local police in Apalit, Pampanga past 3 a.m. Friday He said the group was about to pull off another mission when intercepted by lawmen.
Police said the suspects tried to avoid a police checkpoint by turning back but were pursued by lawmen, triggering a firefight.
Recovered from the crime scene were a caliber .38 revolver, three caliber .45 pistols, three cell phones and identification cards of the slain suspects, including a PNP ID of one PO1 Rustan Cinco.
Police also took into custody a Yamaha MIO motorcycle without license plates, a Yamaha Sniper motorcycle and the photo of certain Mayor Arvin Salonga with markings at the back, which read “MAYOR ARVIN SALONGA 300K.”
Consulta said investigators are checking out the involvement of the group with other criminal elements in Pampanga.