By RICHIELYN CANLAS
Four members of the Manila Police District (MPD) were wounded while two men, including the murder suspect, were killed in a bloody encounter in Tondo, Manila on Thursday, July 11.
According to authorities, they were supposed to serve an arrest warrant on one of the suspects, identified as RJ Juco, who has a murder case in Balut, Tondo.
However, as the officers were about to approach the suspect's house, Juco and another man immediately closed and locked the door.
They then went to the second floor of the house, jumped out of a window, and moved to the neighbor's roof.
The suspects immediately fired a gun at the MPD personnel who followed them.
The police promptly fired back at the armed men, resulting in the deaths of the suspects.
The wounded officers included Maj. Emmark Dave Apostol, Cpl. Julius Emil Omolon, Cpl. Keith Valdez, and the operation team leader, Lt. Col. John Guiagui.
They sustained gunshot wounds in their legs and hands and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.
According to authorities, Juco also threw a grenade, which did not explode and was quickly recovered and detonated.
Authorities said that Juco was involved in a series of shooting incidents in the Manila area on December 19, 2023, April 3, and June 21.
He also has multiple pending warrants of arrest.
The MPD stated that Juco's group was involved in drug trafficking, gun-for-hire activities, carnapping, and illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, a woman, who was allegedly Juco's girlfriend, was arrested during the operation.
She is facing charges for obstruction of justice as the police said she was the one who closed the door which allowed the suspects to escape from the authorities.
A manhunt has been launched for the remaining suspects.