Two killed in Pangasinan encounter

Manila, Philippines—Two armed men were killed in an encounter with government forces in Laoac town in Pangasinan Sunday, police said Monday.

Armed men identified as Rodrigo Eleazar Sr. and Gener Eleazar were killed in a shootout with members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and some village officials at around 4 p.m., said Pangasinan police duty officer Superintendent Perfecto Pagador.

Pagador explained that the encounter happened after police responded to reports about the indiscriminate firing of guns by five men. He said that police retaliated after the suspects shot village captain Edgar Ellazar, village councilor Rogelio Lopez, Police Officer 3 Erwin Lopez and several others. Three other suspects fled after the incident, he said.

The wounded were immediately brought to the Sacred Heart Hospital in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.