4 dead after Pampanga shootout; ‘leader’ linked to gun-for-hire ops

MANILA, Philippines — The four individuals whom police had a shootout with in Pampanga are now all dead, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday.

The shootout stemmed from the police’s response to concerned citizens’ reports that the group was allegedly indiscriminately firing their guns in a remote area in Arayat town while under the influence of alcohol last Saturday, according to PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co.

“They were brought to the hospital… [but] they are now all deceased,” Co said in a press briefing in Camp Crame without immediately providing further details.

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READ: Camarines forest ranger shot dead

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He noted that only one of the suspects slain had been profiled so far, a certain “Ka Arlet,” a 51-year-old male Arayat resident.

“[Ka Arlet] was identified as a leader of a gun-for-hire [group]… There was also information received that, on January 24, 2025, that he was contacted by some individuals to assassinate several local candidates to include mayoralty candidates in Arayat, Pampanga,” Co detailed.

He did not provide further details as to the alleged proposed assassinations.

The Pampanga police previously said Ka Arlet had surrendered to the government in 2018 and became a forest ranger assigned to Mount Arayat.

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According to Co, Ka Arlet also had a prior murder case dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

“The three others are still being profiled,” Co added.

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The other suspects slain during the encounter were a 35-year-old male individual and two 50-year-old male individuals, all of whom were Arayat residents. /mr

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