PNP: Alleged gun-for-hire leader in plot vs local bets killed in Pampanga shootout

Four armed men, including an alleged gun-for-hire leader linked by police intelligence to a supposed plot to assassinate local election candidates, were killed in a shootout with police in Arayat, Pampanga, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the encounter erupted after police responded to reports from residents about an armed group allegedly firing indiscriminately in a remote area of the town.

According to Co, the responding officers identified themselves as police officers before the suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting authorities to retaliate.

“May citizens na nagsabi na may firing sa Arayat. Pinuntahan ng kapulisan, they identified themselves as police officers, but they were fired upon,” Co said during a press briefing.

(Residents reported gunfire in Arayat. Police responded and identified themselves as police officers, but they were fired upon.)

“Napilitan pong gumanti ang ating kapulisan,” he added.

(Our police officers were forced to return fire.)

All four armed men were killed in the encounter, police said.

Co said one of those slain was identified as the alleged leader of a gun-for-hire group and a former member of the Hukbo ng Bayan Laban sa Hapon (Hukbalahap) based in Candaba, Pampanga.

Police intelligence also indicated that the suspect had allegedly been contacted on January 24, 2025 to carry out the assassination of several local election candidates, including a mayoralty aspirant in Arayat, Co added.

The PNP did not identify the slain suspect or disclose the identities of those allegedly behind the supposed assassination plot.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident and the group’s alleged criminal activities, Co said.— MCG, GMA News