CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – A forest ranger known as alias “Ka Arlet” and three armed cohorts were arrested after engaging police in a shootout in Barangay San Juan Bano, Arayat, Pampanga on June 27.
Police said operatives from the Provincial Intelligence Unit of the Pampanga Police Provincial Office, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and SWAT Pampanga were responding to reports of indiscriminate discharge of firearms in the area when they observed an armed man firing a weapon near a store.
After identifying themselves as police officers and issuing lawful verbal commands to surrender, the armed man instead fired at the approaching operatives. Several other armed men positioned within the compound also engaged the police, prompting the operating team to fire back to defend themselves in the lawful performance of their duties.
Ka Arlet and three unidentified armed men were wounded in the exchange of gunfire and were immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and are now under police custody.
Recovered from the scene were one .45 pistol, one M16 rifle, one 12-gauge shotgun, one .38 revolver, one carbine rifle, and one hand grenade. The Pampanga Forensic Unit processed the scene, while investigators continue efforts to establish the identities of the three unidentified individuals and determine their possible involvement in other criminal activities.
Police records show that Ka Arlet returned to the folds of the law in 2018 after previously being associated with the Ka Arlet Group, also known as the Pintados Group, which operated in Pampanga and Bulacan and had links with the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan. He is presently employed as a forest ranger in Barangay San Juan Bano.
Commending the operatives, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said “The PNP remains resolute in confronting armed individuals who endanger public safety. Our personnel will continue to enforce the law with courage, professionalism, and respect for human rights in every operation.”
“Hindi kami mag-aatubiling kumilos laban sa sinumang gumagamit ng dahas at lumalabag sa batas. Walang puwang ang karahasan sa ating mga komunidad,” he added,” he added. Punto News Team/PNP-PIO.
