Supt. Ponciano Zafra, city police chief, said they were conducting further investigation as of press time to establish the armed group as arrested suspects were undergoing tactical interrogation.
It can be recalled that two persons were killed while six others were arrested in a fire- fight between an armed group and elements of the city police station in Barangay Pula here at around 3:15 p.m. Sunday.
Zafra iidentified the fatalities as Jeremy Gomez, of Caliwanagan, San Jose City and Bong Ramon Baldos of Bagong Bayan, Gen. Llanera town.
Those arrested were Marialuz Dipano, 59, a nurse from Barangay Aduas here; Gideon Reyes, 31, of Mayapyap Norte here; Rodel Soria, 28, of San Juan, San Jose City; Jun Quino, 35, of Barangay Sibut, Talavera; and William Soria, 27, of RA Padilla, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.
Police recovered from the suspects one .380 pistol, three .45 pistols, one 12-gauge shotgun and several rounds of ammunition.
Zafra said a team of police operatives responded to an information about the presence armed men in the area. But the policemen were immediately fired upon, forcing them to fire back, Zafra said.
Last week, nine suspected New People’s Army (NPA) rebels were killed in an encounter with Army soldiers in in Barangay Burgos, Carranglan town.
