Forest ranger, 3 others wounded in shootout
PAMPANGA police operatives arrest four armed individuals, including a forest ranger alias 'Ka Arlet,' following a brief shootout in Barangay San Juan Bano. Joint tactical units were conducting surveillance on reported indiscriminate firing when the suspects allegedly shot at law enforcement personnel.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of PNP-PIO
A forest ranger and three other suspects were arrested following a shootout with law enforcement officers investigating reports of indiscriminate firing in Pampanga province, police said.
The suspects were wounded during the exchange of gunfire with joint police units in Barangay San Juan Bano, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP). All four were transported to a local hospital for treatment and remain under police custody.
The PNP identified one of the suspects by the alias "Ka Arlet," a forest ranger in the village. According to police records, Ka Arlet surrendered to authorities in 2018 after previously being linked to the Ka Arlet Group, also known as the Pintados Group.
The criminal group operated in Pampanga and Bulacan and had ties to the Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan.
Reports disclosed that the incident began when operatives from the Pampanga Provincial Intelligence Unit, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and a SWAT team were conducting surveillance in the area following reports of gunshots.
Police said they spotted an armed man firing a weapon near a store. The man allegedly ignored commands to surrender and opened fire on the officers.
Several other armed men inside a nearby compound also shot at the police, prompting the law enforcement team to return fire.
Investigators recovered an M16 rifle, a carbine rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, and a hand grenade from the scene.
The Pampanga Forensic Unit processed the site, and investigators are working to identify the three other suspects to determine their involvement in other criminal activities.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stressed that the police force remains resolute in confronting armed individuals who endanger public safety.
"We will not hesitate to act against anyone who uses violence and violates the law," Nartatez said. "There is no place for violence in our communities."
The operation aligns with ongoing national directives to intensify intelligence-driven operations against armed groups across the country.