8 injured in Negros Occidental shootout

BACOLOD CITY– Four policemen and four civilians were injured in an hour-long gun battle on Thursday in Sitio Matab-ang, Barangay Masaling, Cauayan town, Negros Occidental.

The shootout ensued when operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPRO) attempted to serve an arrest warrant to two residents of a residential compound for illegal possession of firearms.

The subjects of the warrant were identified as Rodel Taquiso and Salem Teodolo.

The policemen were fired at while approaching the compound at around 4:30 a.m., according to Insp. Charmae De Paz, spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPC).

Four policemen were hurt but were in stable condition. They were identified as PO3 Reynaldo Bauden Jr., PO2 Rolando Prieto, SPO2 Bryan Tabon, and PO1 Gary Norico, all members of the Provincial Mobile Force Company of NOCPPO.

Four armed men were also wounded in the shootout and were treated at the Mother of Mercy Hospital in Kabankalan City. They were identified as Chris Jun Taquiso, Raymond Melocoton, Romy Taquiso, and Lucino Demol Sr.

Meanwhile, six men were arrested: Jose Sambilad, Nomeriano Tiñosa, Mark de la Cruz, Ricardo Melecoton, Gener Uldaim, and Joseph Taguan.

Taquiso and Teodolo, who were the subjects of the warrant, and one Rodante Lontoc as well as 10 others managed to escape, according to De Paz.

Recovered from the site were three Armscor and Bently shotguns, a caliber .38 revolver, a .45 caliber pistol, two hand grenades, 33 assorted live ammunition, two empty cartridges, 12 gauge shotgun, 14 cellular phones, and a black belt bag. /ee