SAF officer, 5 gunmen slain in Cotabato police operation

INQUIRER FILES

COTABATO CITY — A police officer and five armed men were killed and six policemen, including two officials, were hurt during a police operation Wednesday in Barangay New Panay, Aleosan town in Cotabato province.

The police from various units in Aleosan and Cotabato province were to serve search warrants against Macabuat Salik alias Kwat and Iskoh, of Purok 7 for possession of illegal firearms and illegal drugs, said Major Jennefer Amotan, Aleosan town police chief, in her report.

READ: 1 of 5 persons hurt on Cotabato City ambush dies 

The local police were backed by Special Action Force (SAF) personnel.

The gunmen opened fire on the approaching law enforcement officers, leading to a 30-minute firefight.

Salik and four of his armed followers were critically injured and pronounced dead at the hospital.

The slain SAF member was identified as Corporal Jed Michael Gregorio, 33.

Six police officers were injured and taken to the hospital for medication.

Among the wounded policemen were two police captains, a police master sergeant, two corporals, and a patrolman.

Amotan said the police found assorted high-powered firearms, explosives, and a big sachet of suspected meth from Salik’s house.