Central Visayas' 2nd most wanted killed in Cebu in Holy Week encounter

One of the most wanted personalities in Central Visayas was gunned down following a chance encounter with police during the Holy Week in Cebu province.

 

Benjamin Salonoy tried to evade a checkpoint and shot it out with police last Maundy Thursday, GMA Cebu's Gregy Magdadaro reported Monday on GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon."

 

Salonoy has been linked to illegal drugs, robbery, murder, and gun-for-hire activities.

 

"Parang by chance lang yun dahil hindi natin yun priority, dahil sa Semana Santa at kailangan mag-conduct ng checkpoint," said PO2 Otto Von Pulmones of the Regional Public Safety Battalion 7.


 

 

The encounter started at Barangay Napo in Carcar City, at a checkpoint set up by the Central Visayas police's Regional Public Safety Company.

 

At the time, Salonoy was riding a motorcycle with a temporary plate. He allegedly made a U-turn upon seeing the checkpoint, and fired at the police personnel manning it.

 

Police at first tried to shoot him in the leg to disable him but he kept firing at him, forcing them to shoot him in the body.

 

Recovered from him were a firearm and a magazine.

 

The RPSB said it had received a tip on Salonoy's whereabouts as early as December 2014.

 

"Sa Dalaguete talaga siya, pero na-trace namin sa Tabogon, Sibonga, ang boundary ng Sibonga at Carcar. Pumupunta siya rito para mag recruit ng gun-for-hire," said RPSB-7 OIC Inspector Alvino Enguito.  — Joel Locsin/ELR, GMA News