Wanted man slain, cop hurt in Sarangani shootout

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, chief of the Soccsksargen Police Regional Office, pins the PNP Wounded Personnel Medal to PO3 Randy T. Villarosa, who was hurt during shootout with a wanted person in Sarangani. (Contributed photo)

KORONADAL CITY — The fifth most wanted person in Sarangani was killed and a police officer was injured during a law enforcement operation in Alabel, Sarangani Friday dawn, police said on Saturday.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, chief of the Soccsksargen Police Regional OFfice, identified the slain suspect as Fernandez Dabuan, 52, who had warrants of arrest for illegal possession of firearms and murder.

Police officers, accompanied by soldiers from the 73rd Infantry Battalion, were to serve the warrants to Dabuan in Sitio Tinungkaan, Barangay Datal Anggas, Alabel, Sarangani, the regional police chief said at a news conference.

But Dabuan and his son Roger opened fire at the approaching lawmen, triggering a shootout.

The father was hit and died instantly while his son escaped.

PO3 Randy T. Villarosa of the Sarangani police was injured during the shootout.

Recovered from the house of Dabuan were an M1 Garand rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, and ammunition.

Rasco said the father-and-son tandem was included on the list of the top 10 most wanted persons ub Sarangani.

Rasco said the Dabuans had warrants of arrest for allegedly killing Larry Libanon on Sept. 11, 2016.

Libanon’s widow, Nenita, filed the murder complaint against the Dabuans before the Regional Trial Court Branch 38 in Alabel town.

Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, regional police spokesperson, said Rasco on Saturday awarded PO3 Villarosa with the the PNP Medalya Ng Sugatang Magiting (Wounded Personnel Medal).

Gonzales said the manhunt for Roger Dabuan would continue.