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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider 5 dead in N. Cotabato clash; over 400 alleged stolen motorcycles recovered

5 dead in N. Cotabato clash; over 400 alleged stolen motorcycles recovered

Published Dec 30, 2021 03:26 pm

DAVAO CITY — Five suspected members of armed lawless group were killed and four police officers were injured in clash with combined police and military operatives on Wednesday, December 29, in a remote village of Pikit, North Cotabato.

The police, who were backed by Philippine Army troopers, were out to serve a warrant of arrest against Joel Manampan also known as Maula Manampan believed to be hiding in Barangay Gokotan.

Police officers inspect alleged stolen motorcycles following a clash with armed lawless group in Pikit, North Cotabato on December 29. (Photo courtesy PNP-12/Manila Bulletin)

Manampan is facing murder charges before the courts in Quezon City and Kidapawan City with a reward of P175,000.

Police Regional Office -12 chief Brigadier General Alexander Tagum told Manila Bulletin that the clash erupted around 3:00 a.m. when suspected escorts of Manampan opened fire on police officers while they were approaching Gokotan.

Tagum, who was also on the ground during the operation, added that the operating troops were met with heavy resistance, adding that the firefight lasted until around 5:30 am.

As the police and military clashed with the cohorts of Manampan, the police official added that the fugitive managed to slip away.

The firefight left five persons killed identified as Badrudin Masulot Dalid,70; Asraf Dalid Masulot, 50; Mudgiahed Saligan Hamsa, 38; Arbaya Dalid Panisares 34; and Bunta Kabunto, 20.

The police also recovered high powered rifles that include M60 machine gun, FN Minimi machine gun, three M16 assault rifles, M14 assault rifle, M1 Garand rifle, B40 rocket propelled grenade, handguns, grenades and assorted ammunitions.

Moreover, police also recovered 442 alleged stolen motorcycles in the encounter site.

But some villagers from Pikit and neighboring areas claimed on social media that the seized motorcycles were not stolen but were instead pawned to a local trader.

Tagum belied the claim of the villagers, saying that the Highway Patrol Group in the province has attested that the motorcycles lack pertinent papers.

The HPG, he added, was able to initially identify some stolen motorcycles among those recovered.

Given the number of motorcycles, it took the police almost seven hours to haul all the recovered evidences to Cotabato Police Provincial Office in Amas, Kidapawan City which is at least 40 kilometers away from the clash site.

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