Fire officer allegedly in Duterte’s drug list slain in shootout with cops

KIDAPAWAN CITY — A fire officer in North Cotabato allegedly in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug watch list was killed during a police operation in Pikit, North Cotabato early Monday.

Policemen were to arrest Senior Fire Officer (SPO 2) Guiapal Palaman Macainas, 49, in his home located in Sitio Lamak Barangay Poblacion, Pikit at 2:45 a.m. when they were fired upon, triggering a shootout, according to Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco.

Rasco, police regional director for the SOCCSKSARGEN region, said law enforcers were to serve a search warrant against Macainas for illegal possession of firearms. The search warrant was issued by Judge Alandrex Betoya of Regional Trial Court Branch 16 in Kabacan, North Cotabato.

Rasco said Macainas was categorized as Level 2 in Duterte’s list of erring government workers.

“As our troops were approaching Macainas’ home, he opened fire using his cal. 45 pistol,” Rasco said. “Our troops retaliated, wounding the suspect in the process.”

Macainas was rushed to a local hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Seized from Macainas’ home were one .45-caliber pistol with spent shells, various ammunition, and gun parts parts for 9mm pistol, M16 rifle, and M14 rifle, among others.

Relatives said Macainas’ remains would be buried later Monday according to Muslim rites. /kga