Cop, gunman die in Quezon town attack

Crime scene investigation. (RADYO INQUIRER FILE PHOTO)

LUCENA CITY — A policeman and one of three men who barged into his house in Candelaria town in Quezon province on Wednesday night died after they engaged in a gunfight, police said on Thursday.

Reports said PO1 Ramil Rodriguez was in his house in Barangay (village) Malabanban Norte when the group arrived and shot him several times at 7:45 p.m.

Although wounded, Rodriguez managed to draw his gun and return fire, hitting and killing one of the suspects, identified as Ramil Capunpon.

Rodriguez, who was assigned in the Tagkawayan town police, died later.

Capunpon’s companions escaped, police said.

Supt. Freddie Dantes, Candelaria police chief, said initial investigation showed the attack was motivated by “personal grudge.” He did not elaborate.  SFM