Kalinga shootout leaves 3 dead; PNP eyes ‘tribal war’ angle

A shootout in Kalinga province left three men dead, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said. PNP public information chief Col Randulf Tuaño said the firefight was possibly the result of a tribal war | FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — A shootout in Kalinga province has left three men dead, said the Philippine National Police (PNP), which added that the firefight was possibly the result of a tribal war.

According to a report from the Police Regional Office Cordillera (PRO CAR), the shootout occurred at around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday near the house of a barangay kagawad in Purok 7, San Julian in Tabuk City.

“The firefight continued until the victims moved [north,] where they were shot,” the police report added.

In a press conference at Camp Crame also on Thursday, PNP public information chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said: “Ayon sa report nila (PRO CAR), tinitignan nila yung anggulo na possible na tribal war.”

(Based on their report, they’re looking at the angle of a possible tribal war.)”

He added that two of the victims were found each holding an M16 rifle, while a third victim was found near a 12-inch shotgun.

“Ito’y mag-aama at magpipinsan,” Tuaño said. “Mga farmers sila doon sa area.”

(The [victims] are family members… They’re farmers in the area.)

READ: Army soldiers, NPA rebels clash in Kalinga

As to the total number of shooters involved in the encounter, Tuaño said this has yet to be determined.

Crime scene operatives began collecting statements from individuals in the area, while the weapons found were turned over to the Forensic Group for examination, Tuaño detailed.