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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Kalinga politician dies after engaging cops in 30-minute firefight over arrest warrant

Kalinga politician dies after engaging cops in 30-minute firefight over arrest warrant

Published Jan 21, 2026 02:04 pm
Acting PNP Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: Office of the Chief PNP)
Acting PNP Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (File photo: Office of the Chief PNP)
A local politician in Kalinga, who was long wanted for a string of murder and criminal cases, was killed after engaging police forces in a 30-minute gunfight in Lubuagan town early morning on Wednesday, Jan 21.
Corey Dickpus, who was included in the list of Most Wanted Person of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), died in an intense firefight that also resulted in the wounding of a police sergeant.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), lauded the local police force and members of the Special Action Force (SAF) whom he said, were supposed to serve arrest warrants against Dickpus in Barangay Poblacion in an operation that started on Tuesday night.
“Our personnel on the ground were fully aware of the background of the subject of the arrest warrant and this became instrumental in the planning and execution of the measures to arrest him,” said Nartatez.
Dickpus’s string of criminal offenses, according to the PNP, dated back in the late 90s and early 2000s, including the ambush on SAF commandos that left two policemen dead.
But despite the charges leveled against him, Dickpus earned the notoriety of being untouchable as he even served as barangay captain and vice mayor of Lubuagan town multiple times.
In the recent 2025 midterm elections, Dickpus ran as an independent candidate for Vice Mayor of Lubuagan but lost.
The intelligence reports that Dickpus is fully armed was confirmed after he engaged the arresting team in a gun battle that lasted for 30 minutes.
Dickpus was wounded during the gunfight. He was then arrested and taken to the Kalinga District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Seized during the operation were an M16 rifle with M203 grenade launcher; an M14 rifle; a caliber .45 pistol; 19 rounds of .40mm ammunition; five magazines for M14 rifle; five magazines for M16 rifle; and two magazines for caliber .45 pistol.
“This operation is proof of your PNP’s dedication and commitment to enforce the law no matter how challenging and risky it is. And this should also serve as a strong message to everybody never to challenge the power and authority of the police,” said Nartatez.
“I commend all the personnel who took part in the planning and the operation to arrest this fugitive. You proved once again that no task is hard if we work together to honor our commitment of serving and protecting the Filipino people,” he added.
Nartatez also assured full medical and other necessary support to the policeman who was wounded during the conduct of the operation. The policeman is now in stable condition.
The Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region is expected to return the arrest warrant and inform the issuing court of the neutralization of Dickpus.
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