Suspect in slay of Tawi-Tawi deputy police chief killed in shootout

MANILA, Philippines—Authorities shot dead a suspect who killed a deputy police chief in Tawi-Tawi province Monday night.

Inspector Erick Fregillana, Bongao town deputy police chief died after being shot by Abdul Sabdani at 8:38 p.m. in Pahut village, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.

Police said that Fregillana was trying to wrestle an M16 rifle from Sabdani when he was shot. The suspect was under investigation for a traffic incident at that time, said Cruz.

Bongao town police tried to shoot at the suspect but it took three hours and several more officers from the Tawi-Tawi police to fight off Sabdani who was killed in the shootout.

Recovered from Sabdani were an M16 rifle, an M14 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, a caliber .38 revolver, a rifle grenade and a homemade airgun.