Rizal province's beheading suspect killed in Zambales shootout —police

A suspect wanted for beheading a man in Rizal province was killed during an encounter in Subic, Zambales in the wee hours of Wednesday, according to the police.

Information from the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) identified the slain suspect as a certain Edison Villaran, who was the prime suspect in the killing of one Jesus Armoliga, a resident of Cardona, Rizal.

Based on initial investigation, authorities were about to serve a warrant of arrest, issued by Honorable Judge Anna Francesca Limbo of Branch 69 in Binangonan, Rizal, against Villaran in his residence in Barangay Naugsol when the shootout took place.

Villaran fired shots at the authorities, prompting the lawmen to retaliate, which led to the suspect's death.

A caliber .45, allegedly used by Villaran, was recovered in the area of the encounter.

Authorities said Armoliga was beheaded, hacked and stabbed by Villaran and his brother, Jovito Villaran. According to PNP-AKG spokesman Police Major Ronald Lumactod, the beheading incident happened last September 16, 2019.

"According kay Jovito Villaran na kapatid niya, nagkaroon sila ng away, so nag-aaway itong namatay ngayon saka si Jesus Armoliga, nakita niya na agrabyado na kapatid niya, tumulong siya," Lumactod said in a phone interview.

"Para pugutan mo ng ulo ang isang tao, grabe ang galit eh. According sa nahuli natin na si Villaran, ang puno't dulo daw niyan ay selos sa babae," Lumactod added.

Lumactod said the Villaran brothers were also part of a kidnap-for-ransom group in Rizal, which is also involved in robbery activities.

"Involved din siya sa grupo ni Ex PO1 Maray as spotter and tipster," Lumactod said.

According to Lumactod, Jovito was arrested in Pasig City last October 3.  —LBG, GMA News