Four policemen were killed while three were injured in a shootout that ensued while they were serving a warrant of arrest against a known gang leader in Kalinga on Tuesday.
Members of Kalinga police neutralized Willy Sagasag, listed as one of the top most wanted persons nationwide, but operatives who served the arrest warrant suffered casualties, according to reports reaching Camp Crame.
The slain cops were identified as PO3 Cruzaldo Lawagan, PO2 Juvenal Aguinaldo, PO1 Vincent Tay-od and PO1 Charles Ryan Compas while Senior Insp. Eduard Liclic, PO1 Ferdinand Asuncion and PO1 Ferdie Diwag suffered injuries.
A report from the Philippine National Police’s Public Information Office said the arrest was based on warrants for multiple murder and frustrated murder.
Sagasag’s body was brought to Sitio Malusong, Barangay (village) Antonio Canao in Lubuagan town while casualties from the government troops were brought to Lubuagan District Hospital.
Police recovered Sagasag’s M16 rifle with 127 live ammunition and 36 5.56mm cartridge cases from the crime scene./rga
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