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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Toughie ex-village dad killed in shootout

Toughie ex-village dad killed in shootout

Published Mar 21, 2026 09:17 pm
A FORMER village councilor was found dead in his house destroyed by fire during a shootout with police in San Fernando, Cebu. (Police photo)
A FORMER village councilor was found dead in his house destroyed by fire during a shootout with police in San Fernando, Cebu. (Police photo)
CEBU CITY – A former barangay councilor who was once arrested for illegal drug charges was killed in a shootout with police in San Fernando town, Cebu on Saturday, March 21.
Police identified the suspect as Jay Castañares.
Lawmen went the suspect's house in Barangay Sangat after he was accused of fatally shooting food vendor Emilio Sabroso.
Police said Sabroso was driving a motorcycle when he was shot in the head by Castañares around 10 a.m.
The San Fernando Police Station led by Police Major Michael Gingoyon were walking towards the suspect's house when they fired at. During the encounter, the Naga City Police Station and Regional Mobile Force Battalion-Central Visayas (RMFB-7) arrived as backup.
Castañares was surrounded by police but refused to surrender and the gunfight dragged on for several hours. Police assessed the situation and learned that Castañares was also armed with two grenades.
At 4 p.m., police, including Special Weapons and Tactics operatives, decided to conduct a tactical movement by zeroing in on the suspect's house. The suspect continued firing as the police inched closer to his house.
Police Patrolman Kim Villariasa of RMFB-7 was hit in the chest and police returned fire, followed by with two big explosions coming from the house. The suspect’s house caught fire, believed to have been caused by Liquified Petroleum Gas tanks and hand grenades.
The blaze was put out by firefighters and clearing operations were conducted. The body of the suspect was found with bullet wounds and burn injuries.
Gingoyon said Villariasa was taken to a hospital. Police disclosed that Castañares was feared by residents for his alleged involvement in atrocities, including a shooting incident just last January.
The suspect was elected in 2016 but was arrested for drug charges in 2017. He was released from jail last October. Gingoyon said the suspect had criminal records at the Cebu Provincial Police Office.
He was allegedly involved in a shooting incident in the City of Naga, Cebu and was accused of being one of the gunmen in the fatal shooting of Carl Vinson Apura in 2012, son of former Carcar Mayor Nicepuro Apura.

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Barangay councilor Cebu San Fernando
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