Policeman, 2 men killed in Compostela shooting

TAGUM CITY, Philippines – Three persons, including a rookie policeman, were killed in a shootout between police and a group of unidentified armed men believed to be robbers in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, early Tuesday, the police said.

Chief Inspector Hector Grijaldo Jr., Nabunturan police chief, said the shootout occurred near a police checkpoint on the Nabunturan-Maragusan road in the village of Cabidianan past 6 a.m.

He said five men on two motorcycles ignored the roadblock and sped off, prompting the policemen to give chase.

Grijaldo said a firefight ensued, which resulted in the death of Police Officer 1 Jorge Sobrevilla.

One of the armed men died during the firefight, while the second expired in a hospital while their three companions escaped, he said.