3 Quezon cops in ‘shootout’ with mayor’s son charged

MANILA, Philippines – The Calabarzon police has filed murder charges against the former chief of Tayabas City Police Station and two other police officers involved in the alleged shootout with the son of the mayor of Sariaya, Quezon.

“The swift and decisive actions of PRO4A (Police Regional Office 4A) in coordination with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) led to the filing of criminal charges for murder against P/Lt. Col Mark Joseph Laygo, erstwhile chief of police of Tayabas City Police Station, and his subordinates, Police Corporal Lonald Sumalpong and Patrolman Robert  Legaspi,” Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

“The City Prosecutor has upheld the continuous restrictive custody of the three PNP personnel in Camp Dolor, Candelaria, Quezon until further orders by the Court,” Albayalde said.

On March 14, personnel of the Tayabas City Police Station responded to a report of a shooting incident involving two motorcycle-riding gunmen in a gasoline station.

The responding police officers allegedly figured in a shootout that led to the death of the two suspects.

Police later found out that one of the fatalities was Christian Gayeta, the 21-year-old son of Sariaya Mayor Marcelo Gayeta.

Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, director of the Calabarzon police, told reporters in the same press briefing that authorities are investigating whether or not there was indeed a shootout, citing the improbability of the report of the Tayabas City police that the suspects initiated the gun battle. /gsg