A security guard was killed while a police officer was wounded when gang members engaged the lawmen in a gun battle with police agents, reports added.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo T. Reyes identified the slain robbery gang leader as Cleofe Veranque, alias “Ningning,” a resident of Caloocan City.

Chief Supt. Arturo C. Lomibao, PNP-CIDG director, said Veranque was the leader of the Guardian Bonnet Gang involved in several bank robberies and pawnshop hold- ups in Metro Manila and Southern Tagalog provinces.

Reports said Veranque was killed by police when his gang tried to rob a bank in Angono, Rizal, Tuesday last week.

The police team arrested in the incident other suspected gang members, Renato Canete, 32, of Angeles City; and Robert Abala, 34, of Caloocan City who was wounded in the clash with the lawmen.

Recovered from the scene were the suspects’ getaway vehicle — a red Daihatsu Charade — a super .38 caliber pistol, a super .38 caliber Viper pistol and four magazines.

Last July 19, two suspected bank robbery gang members — Dariio Adam, 32, and Jole Deo, 30, both of Tiaong, Quezon — were arrested after PNP-CIDG teams acted on a tip that they plan to rob a bank in San Pablo City.

A firefight ensued between the bank robbers and the police and security guards in the area.

Reports said a security guard, identified as Dennis Bambilla, was killed, while Adam was wounded.