Gunman in cop’s slay surrenders, confesses

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COTABATO CITY – The man suspected of killing a police officer in Mlang, North Cotabato, on Monday, has surrendered and owned up to the crime.

Jerson Rey Dulana of Barangay Sangat in M’lang, surrendered to authorities by calling Mayor Russel Abonado, Supt. John Miredel Calinga, the town’s police chief, said.

Hours after Police Officer 3 Lovel Tan was shot dead inside his boarding house at 8 a.m., Monday, the suspect phoned Abonado expressing his desire to surrender and face the consequences for the crime he committed.

Abonado, in turn, informed the police about Dulana’s desire to yield.

Police went to Dulana’s home in Barangay Sangat where he was waiting for his arresting officers.

Calinga said Dulana went to Tan’s boarding house where the two were last seen talking. A heated argument ensued with the suspect pulling a .45-pistol.

Calinga said Tan ran to his room to take his pistol but Dulana opened fire as the victim turned his back. As Tan fell, the gunman fired more shots.

Calinga said Dulana worked as one of Tan’s “assets” in intelligence gathering.

“It was a case of personal grudge,” Calinga said, adding that Dulana, a job order worker of the M’lang local government unit, confronted Tan about the extortion charges the victim had filed against him.  SFM/rga