Isabela cop, robbery suspect slain in shootout

RAMON, Isabela – A police officer here and a suspected robber were killed during a running gunbattle here on Friday afternoon.

Police Capt. Frances Littaua, Isabela police spokesperson, identified the fatalities as Police Staff Sergeant Richard Gumarang and an alias Cris.

Initial reports said the policemen were alerted about a robbery in Tuguegarao City involving the slain robbery suspect and his three companions.

Police chased the three who fled towards southern Isabela, resulting in a shootout and death of Gumarang and Cris.

The two other robbery suspects identified as Jayson Saringan, 29, and Edmar De Castro, 32, were arrested while another escaped.

Police seized the red Toyota Innova that the suspects used and found an M-16 rifle in it.