Wanted man killed in shootout with Laguna authorities

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna—A man wanted for possession of illegal firearms was shot dead when authorities tried to arrest him in San Pablo City in Laguna province, the police said Saturday.

A report from the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (Calabarzon) police identified the slain suspect as Romeo de Mesa Belda, who faced charges for violations of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunitions Regulation Act.

According to the report, a team composed of San Pablo City police, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the military implemented a search warrant against Belda around 4 a.m. Friday. The suspect, however, opened fire, prompting the authorities to shoot back.

Belda was hit and was declared dead on arrival in the hospital while Technical Sergeant Michael Roxas Reyes was wounded in the gunfight.

Recovered from the suspect were a carbine and a .45 caliber gun with ammunitions.