DAWN SKIRMISHES

ALAMADA, North Cotabato – A police operative died on the spot while two of his companions were also injured in a shootout with drug suspects before dawn Wednesday (April 21) in Alamada town, this province, police authorities reported. 

Major Sunny Leoncito, chief of police in Alamada town, identified the dead policeman as Pat. Emmanuel David Vales, while those wounded police operatives were also known as Pat. Mario Rapusas and S/Sgt. James Byron Lagarto, all members of the local police force.

The principal target of the anti-drug operation, Pilong Salangan, a suspected illegal drug gang leader was also reported wounded in the shootout, the police said.  

Investigation disclosed that Patrolman Vales together with other policemen and army personnel were serving a search warrant to the subject suspect and his group in Barangay Guiling, when the suspects suddenly opened fire, shooting and killing Vales on the spot.

Leoncito told reporters Salangan and his group resisted arrest and instead opened fire at the police operatives which ignited the exchange of bullets for several minutes.   

“Salangan’s group resisted arrest and opened fire, prompting our lawmen to fire back,” the police official said.

Leoncito said the suspects scampered in different directions while the main target Pilong Salangan was arrested after the skirmishes. – PNA