Cop, bystander killed in Kabankalan City shootout

Bacolod City, Philippines—A policeman and a bystander died in a shootout Monday afternoon in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

The police identified the fatalities as PO2 Rafael Gemoto, an intelligence officer of the Kabankalan City Police Station, and Noel Garcia, a tricycle driver who was reportedly killed in the crossfire of the shootout between the policeman and an ex-convict at Coloso Extension in Barangay 6, Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental.

Gemoto succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds after exchanging shots with Joy Voluntate, an ex-convict.

SPO1 Perfecto Larracas, chief investigator of the Kabankalan police, said Gemoto was trailing Voluntate, who was riding in a tricycle, when the shoot-out took place.

Larracas, in an interview with MBC Aksyon Radyo, said Gemoto reportedly fired a warning shot for Voluntate to halt. Instead, Voluntate opened fire at Gemoto and this led to a brief shootout.

Supt. Calixto Mabugat, who re-assumed command of the Kabankalan police Monday, said Voluntate was able to escape although he is believed to have been injured.

Voluntate was linked by the police to the shooting of Francisco Sibug, a member of the Bantay Bayan, and Rommel Torre, 17, on Sept. 15 and 17, also in Kabankalan City, respectively.

Mabugat said he considered Voluntate as armed and dangerous, citing his alleged involvement in two shooting incidents in Kabankalan City last week.

Personnel from the PNP Crime Laboratory were dispatched to Kabankalan City to conduct an investigation.

Senior Supt. Allan Guisihan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, ordered the Kabankalan police to arrest the suspect as soon as possible.