Cop, ex-soldier killed in bloody arrest in Cotabato town

KIDAPAWAN CITY—A police officer and former soldier were killed in a mission to arrest the ex-military man for murder which turned bloody in a turn of events fit for the movies in the town of Arakan, Cotabato province on Thursday (Oct. 22).

Col. Henry Villar, Cotabato police chief, said Senior MSgt Rafel Manuel, of the Arakan police office, was part of a police team sent to the village of Liberted in the town to arrest Arnold Maligatong, 40, a former Army soldier who had found work as a security guard.

Maligatong is wanted for a case of murder.

Villar said that as the arresting team informed Maligatong about the arrest warrant against him, he resisted and fought the policemen.

Maligatong, according to Villar, pulled out a gun from his waist and started shooting as he fled.

After a brief chase, the police officers were able to corner Maligatong. AT this point, Villar said Manuel and Maligatong were aiming their guns at each other.

Manuel asked Maligatong to surrender while also trying to grab the former soldier.

Seconds later, however, Maligatong pulled the trigger while Manuel returned fire. Both fell to the ground with fatal gunshot wounds.

The other police officers in the arresting team rushed the two to a hospital where Manuel and Maligatong were pronounced dead.

Police found the .45 caliber pistol of Maligatong, spent and live bullets in the crime scene.

Villar said Manuel deserved honor for putting “the interest of the people” ahead of his life.

The Cotabato police chief expressed condolences to Manuel’s family. Preparations are underway to honor Manuel and recognize his “immeasurable contribution” to the Philippine National Police.

TSB