by Miriam G. Desacada
Tacloban City–Carlito “alias Alas” Magbutay Jr., one of Calbayog City’s most wanted men, was killed at dawn of May 10 (Wednesday) when he allegedly resisted arrest and engaged in a gunfight the policemen who were about to serve him an arrest warrant in his residence at Barangay Hamorawon, Calbayog City.
Alas was facing multiple murder charges pending at the Regional Trial Court’s branches 31 and 32 in Samar. He first eluded arrest in June 2021 when the police tried to serve him seven arrest warrants.
In April 2022, Alas was included in the roster of most wanted persons by the Samar Police Provincial Office. He was even listed number one among the identified members of private armed groups (PAGs) in Calbayog.
This time, when the police operatives came to serve the arrest warrant against him, he showed resistance by firing shots at the law enforcers resulting in a gunfight that killed him in the process.
It also resulted in the arrest of nine persons and the confiscation of high-powered firearms from the house where Alas was believed to be residing.
Two men, identified as Ricky Medrano Casaljay and Reymart “alias Emad” Rosini, were arrested when caught carrying firearms during the arrest operation. An Ak47 with three magazines loaded with ammunition was seized from Casaljay, while a .45-caliber gun with ammunitions was taken for Rosini’s possession.
The arrested suspects were taken to the Calbayog City Police headquarters for further investigation. —Miriam G. Desacada