THE Philippine National Police (PNP) prevented possible outbreak of violence and loss of lives following a prompt response to a complaint of hotel staff in the resort island of Boracay in Malay, Aklan on Saturday.
Four complainants, all staff of Cerca Hotel, including an assistant manager, narrated that while sitting at the lobby of their hotel, they were surprised upon the arrival of four male persons in civilian attire.
One suspect later, identified as Jomar Guevarra, immediately drew a short firearm from his sling bag and pointed the gun at them.
Out of fear, the victims ran and hid to an adjacent hotel.
A few minutes later, complainants came back to get their belongings and saw another of Guevarra’s companion, Carlos Ingo, changing from his civilian clothes to a security guard uniform.
Responding police officers from Malay Municipal Police Station went to the area to provide police assistance.
The complainants positively identified the suspects who were placed under arrest, namely, Conrad Ilagan, Jomar Solano, Roqui Tumbagahan, Gardie Maming, Carlos Ingo, Jomar Guevarra, Mel Jhon Fernandez, and Baldonero Torres, all of legal age.
Confiscated from the group were a 9mm pistol and a shotgun.
“Those armed suspects posed threat not only to the hotel staff, but also to the guests. We laud the quick action of our police personnel that prevented the situation from escalating and nobody was harmed” PNP OIC Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. said.
Investigation is underway to determine the background and motive of the suspects.
