Suspected hitman dies trying to evade police

Police operatives were supposed to serve 5 arrest warrants

Norman Maramara was also accused of raping a minor

ONE of Pardo, Cebu City's most wanted criminals died yesterday dawn when he tried to slip past the policemen who were about to hand him five warrants of arrest.

Norman Maramara, 50, died of bullet wounds in the head and body.

He was a suspect in several killings, sale of illegal drugs and the rape of a 16-year-old neighbor.

Operatives of Cebu City's Pardo Police Station, City Intelligence Branch (CIB) and Special Weapons and Tactics arrived at Maramara's house in Sitio Kalubihan in Barangay Tabunok, Talisay City past 4 a.m.

Chief Insp. Michelangelo Beltran said they knocked on the door but no one replied. The police heard a commotion from inside the house, though.

Hit

Beltran said Maramara tried to leave the house through another door but some police operatives were waiting for him there.

Beltran said that Maramara was armed with a gun, which he allegedly pointed at the police.

Police operatives fired, hitting Maramara in the head and body. In an instant, the suspect was dead.

Supt. Romeo Santander, head of CIB, said that Maramara's death brought relief to residents in the area.

“Nakuhaan kuno sila'g tunok (It removed a thorn on their side),” he said.

Maramara was facing criminal charges for allegedly raping neighbor from February to June last year.

He was one of the 10 most wanted persons in the area of responsibility of the Pardo Police Station, said Beltran.

2 residences

Maramara was supposed to be included as one of Cebu city's most wanted criminals before his death, Santander said.

He was also a suspect in a series of shootings in Barangays Bulacao and Inayawan, Cebu City. He was also allegedly involved in driveby shootings in Talisay City.

“If he kills someone in Cebu City, he would hide in Talisay City and vice versa," Santander said. The five alias arrest warrants about to be served to Maramara were all issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 66 Judge Jacinto Fajardo Jr. in Talisay City. The warrants were delivered to the Pardo Police Station because Maramara was believed to be living in Barangay Bulacao.

Beltran said that they learned last month that Maramara had moved to Talisay City. “We learned that he had armed henchmen in Talisay, too," he told Sun.Star Cebu.

Beltran said the police officers will not be facing any liability for the death of Maramara because the operation was “legitimate.”