Firearm found after clash with NPA in North Cotabato belonged to slain cop

MAKILALA, North Cotabato—Police authorities here said they have identified one of the firearms recovered in the aftermath of Monday’s clash here, which left a militiaman and three communist rebels dead, as that of a policeman in nearby Davao del Sur.

Senior Superintendent Jonathan Tangonan, North Cotabato police director, said the Taurus 9-millimeter pistol was government-issued to Police Officer 2 Manolo Booc, who was slain in the March 2014 attack by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels on the police station of Matanao, Davao del Sur.

Tangonan said the details of the firearms were provided by the police’s Crime Laboratory.

Tangonan said all the slain rebels had also been identified and their bodies claimed by their relatives.

He said the last slain rebel to be identified was Roger Sikin Labajo Jr. of Datal Batong, in Malungon, Sarangani Province.

Superintendent Bernard Tayong, speaking for North Cotabato PNP, said Labajo’s remains were identified by an aunt, who arrived at the funeral home here on Tuesday.

The other slain rebels during Monday’s clash were Reymart Rusiana of Purok Malabuan, Makilala, Cotabato and Armand Mendoza of Barangay Nuling, Lebak, Sultan Kudarat.