Gunman allegedly used by Arnie Teves killed in Negros Oriental police op

A gunman allegedly used by suspended Negros Oriental Representative Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr. was killed in a police operation in Bayawan City, Negros Oriental on Monday, the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO 7) said.

In a statement issued Monday, PRO7 said the suspect identified as Alex Manegos Mayagma allegedly pointed his firearm toward the police officers when the authorities were serving him warrants of arrest.

“The suspect Mayagma was cornered in a game farm and when approached by covert operatives, he pointed his firearm toward the police officers with the intention of shooting the enforcers,” PRO7 said citing information from the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office.

“Sensing the danger and in defense of their lives, the police officers scuffled with Mayagma and were able to disarm him. However, the notorious subject attempted to pull out his other weapon concealed inside his sling bag to shoot the operatives, prompting them to open fire and defend themselves,” it added.

Mayagma was brought to a hospital but he was declared dead on arrival, according to the police.

Negros Oriental Police said they received information that Mayagma was allegedly a gunman of Teves.

GMA News Online has sought comments from Teves and his legal counsel about the matter. They have yet to reply as of posting time.

Mayagma has pending warrants of arrest for four murder cases, all issued by Presiding Judge Maria Myla Rae Santos Orden dated March 30, May 10, November 17, 2022.

The suspect also has two warrants of arrest for alleged violation of the  Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and the Commission on Elections gun ban.

“To the people of Negros Oriental, as promised by this government, your PRO 7 will conduct bold and impactful operations against hardened criminals to swiftly serve justice to those victimized by heinous crimes with the assurance that violence and lawlessness will have no place in your beloved province,” Negros Oriental Police chief Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin said. —KG, GMA Integrated News