MAKILALA, North Cotabato – Two people died and two police officers were wounded in a shootout during a raid in a businessman’s house in this town before dawn Thursday.
Police Lt. Juaren Caang, spokesperson of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, said police were serving a search warrant in Barangay Bulakanon against Ramon Floresta for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, when the gunbattle erupted.
Killed were Jovito Regidor Roa and Paul Lacorte Pedroso, both ex-soldiers and employed as security men for Floresta.
Police Corporal Jayson A. Jungco and Police Patrolman Christian A. Neyra, both from the 1203rd Maneuvering Company, were wounded.
Floresta was arrested. Seized from his house were two .40-caliber pistols, a Tactical-4V rifle, two M16 rifles, two fragmentation hand grenades, and ammunition.
The businessman denied ownership of the arms cache.
He is under the custody of the Makilala police for proper disposition. (PNA)