Police sarge, 5 armed men die in Cotabato clash; Banac orders hot pursuit
A police sergeant and five armed men died while six policemen were wounded following an intense gun battle that stemmed from a serving of an arrest warrant in Aleosan, Cotabato on Wednesday, July 10.
Gen. Bernard Banac, commander of the Area Police Command in Western Mindanao, said he immediately ordered all police units in Central Mindanao to be alert against the fleeing members of the armed group led by Macabuat Salik alias Kwat/Iskoh.
Banac specifically tasked all the police maneuver forces in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos City) region to be on the lookout for other fleeing armed followers of Salik.
Based on the report, the team of Police Master Sergeant Jed Michael Gregorio from the Special Action Force (SAF) was serving an arrest warrant against Salik in Purok 7, Barangay New Panay in Aleosan.
Salik and four of his men died while putting up armed resistance against the police team.
Police recovered four high-powered rifles, a handgun, two grenades, and a substantial quantity of illegal drugs during the operation.
Gregorio died during the clash while six other policemen were injured,
“We mourn the loss of Police Master Sergeant Jed Michael Gregorio who died in the line of duty in the finest police tradition of valor, service and sacrifice,” Banac said.
Banac also assured prompt release of all benefits due to the family of Gregorio as well as medical assistance to six other PNP personnel wounded in the incident.