2 cop chiefs dead in separate Mindanao attacks

The police chiefs of two Mindanao towns were killed in separate attacks on Monday, authorities said on Tuesday.

In Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, Insp. Edgar Dico died without receiving treatment at a hospital after he was wounded in a gunfight with a subordinate, according to Supt. Martin Gamba, the spokesperson of the Caraga regional police.

Gamba said Dico and P03 Lord Anthony Lerin had a heated argument that resulted in the gunfight.

He said Dico wielded an M-16 Armalite rifle while Lerin used a .45-caliber pistol.

Gamba said the two had a misunderstanding over office policies, but did not elaborate.

Gamba said Dico was hit in the abdomen while Lerin, who is currently undergoing treatment in a hospital, suffered two bullet wounds.

In Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, Insp. Erick Frigillana was shot dead by a man he was trying to pacify on Monday.

Chief Supt. Bienvenido Latag, director of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, said the suspect, Abdul Sabdani, fired at Frigillana as the police officer tried to convince him to yield his weapon.

Latag said Sabdani was killed in a police pursuit operation. Frinston Lim and Jeoffrey Maitem, Inquirer Mindanao