Highway patrol officer killed in a Cagayan de Oro shootout

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – A member of the Regional Highway Patrol Unit (RHPU-10) was killed following a shootout with a motorist at the uptown area here on Thursday afternoon, police said.

According to regional police spokesperson Supt. Surki Sereñas, RHPU-10 officers identified as SPO2 Lyndie Baltazar and SPO1 Serge de Constantine Maceren were involved in the shootout in Barangay Carmen.

Reports said the law enforcers tried to question a motorist, Abdul Rahim Batawi Adilao, when they noticed his Hyundai Accent had a suspicious license plate.

Witnesses said that during conversation, Adilao allegedly suddenly fired at the officers. An exchange of gunfire ensued.

Adilao and Baltazar were wounded while Maceren was declared dead at a nearby hospital. /kga