By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Two suspected robbers were killed, while another was wounded, Wednesday afternoon, following a botched robbery attempt in Barangay Cabacungan, La Castellana, Negros Occidental.

Police identified the fatalities as 27-year-old Edgar Recaña, a native of General Santos City; and 30-year-old Je-Ar Santa Ana, a resident of Purok 2 in Barangay Magallon, Moises Padilla.

The wounded, meanwhile, was identified as 26-year-old Garnel Solebaga, a resident of Governor Generoso, Davao Oriental.

Based on investigations by La Castellana municipal police, the victim, identified as Raul Loyola, an employee and driver for D’Jade Marketing, was making a delivery in the area when Recaña and his gang declared a hold-up.

The suspects forced Loyola to give up his P190,000 in collection money before attempting to escape on motorcycle.

The victim, however, managed to get the attention of nearby police officers, who happened to be patrolling in the area at the time of the incident.

The cops gave chase and, upon cornering the suspects, Recaña and his gang opened fire at the police officers using their .357 magnum revolver and .45 caliber pistols.

Police returned fire, killing Recaña and Santa Ana on the spot, while wounding Solebaga.

Solebaga was rushed to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital under police watch and is presently facing robbery/hold-up charges.

La Castellana police added, they are presently investigating if the three were part of a crime syndicate operating in Negros Occidental./DGB, WDJ