Cop, 2 others dead in armed encounter in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines—Three people died, including a Batangas police officer, following a firefight between police authorities and armed men on Monday evening in Sto, Tomas, Batangas, a Batangas police spokesperson said Tuesday.

Police Senior Inspector Liezl Dimaandal said that intelligence officer Inspector Reynaldo Valencia and members of his team were conducting surveillance operation along Barangay (village) San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas, when they engaged in a firefight with four armed men around 7:30 p.m.

Dimaandal identified the suspects as Carlito, Nelson, and Allan Cornejo; and Crisanto Lawas. Carlito, 63, was declared dead on arrival at the hospital while Nelson, 60, died while being treated in the hospital. Allan was unharmed while Lawas was wounded.

Valencia was taken to St. Cabrini Hospital in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, for treatment but also died while undergoing treatment.

Recovered from the area were one .38-cal. Armscor revolver with five spent shells in the cylinder; four spent shells from a 9 mm pistol; one slug from a caliber .45; one motorcycle; and two bolos (jungle knives).—Jamie Marie Elona, Arianna Y. Lim, Henry I. Oh