CEBU CITY—A policeman and two alleged cult members were killed in a shootout in Sitio Buyo, Barangay Binungkalan, Catmon town, Cebu, about 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
PO3 Dionelio Jurbina, 54 was killed while two of his companions–SPO2 Rex Menchavez and PO2 Aaron Benjamin Arizo–were wounded.
Also killed were Lito Tillo Gumalon, 43, from Talisay City and King Siroy Porgatorio Lucifer, 41, from Argao town. The two were reportedly members of a cult.
Arrested suspects were Andrew Abaigar Ocasla from Argao town and Tomas Manulat Bracero of Sogod town.
The policemen were responding to a call from a concerned citizen about the presence of suspicious persons in Barangay Binungkalan, Catmon at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday.
But when Catmon police went to the area, they encountered a group of armed men and a shootout ensued.
SP02 Cresente Armamento, desk officer of the Catmon police station, said their police team asked for backup because of the heavy firefight.
Two other policemen from the station went to the area. Then, the back-up force from nearby stations also responded.
Jurbina suffered gunshot wounds in the right temple and died upon reaching the hospital.
Menchavez suffered gunshot wounds in the right arm and chin while Arizo suffered bullet wounds in the left shoulder.
Those arrested were still being interrogated. CDG