Cops tracking down man who shot at gov’t operatives in Masbate

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay, Philippines — Police are tracking down a man who had engaged government forces in a firefight on Saturday in a remote village in Mandaon town in Masbate province.

Maj. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol Police Regional Office spokesperson, said police and Army soldiers were on an intelligence gathering mission in Barangay Cabitan. At around 10:45 a.m., the gunman, identified as Manuel Rubio, fired at the operating team, prompting a five-minute firefight.

The suspect was able to elude arrest, but his wife Genevie was arrested.

A search in the couple’s house yielded a hand grenade and two cell phones.

Police investigators could not yet determine whether the suspects are members of the New People’s Army (NPA) or a crime syndicate operating in the province.

/atm