6 killed, 4 hurt in shootout between police and robbers in Cotabato town

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MANILA, Philippines — Six people were killed and four others were wounded following a shootout between alleged robbers and the police in M’lang town in Cotabato province on Wednesday, November 23.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said in a statement Thursday that a gunfight ensued as Cotabato police officers chased the 12 suspects who were reportedly trying to flee a robbery scene.

Four suspects, one police officer, and one civilian were killed, while two police officers and two civilians were injured in the skirmish, authorities said.

Citing reports from the regional police office in Soccsksargen, the PNP said Police Staff Sergeant Rudy Amihan Jr. of the M’lang municipal police station, and Jack Gumilao, a customer at the restaurant-bakery where the reported robbery took place, were shot dead by two suspects, who were also later killed by police officers.

Two other suspects died in a separate encounter with the police in Sitio Quito, Barangay Dugong, according to the PNP.

Four handguns were seized from the robbery suspects killed in the shootout.

The PNP also noted that Police Corporal Noli Labesores, Patrolman Herzon Neyra, and civilians Tweeny Daza and Jose Patlubay were injured in the gunfight. They have since been brought to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Hospital.

Meanwhile, authorities are still on the hunt for the eight remaining suspects who remain at large.

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