3 cops die, 4 hurt in shootout with wanted men in Samar town

TACLOBAN CITY — Three police officers were killed while four others were wounded in an encounter with alleged members of an armed group in Sta. Margarita town, Samar on Tuesday, Jan. 30, morning.

Member of the 1st Samar Police Mobile Force Company and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion, went to Barangay Mahayag, a remote village 15 kms away from the town proper, served a warrant of arrest against Jojo Altarejos, Rogelio Macurol, and Edito Ampoan, the leader of the Ampoan Group, at about 5 a.m.

However, the three suspects engaged the government forces in a firefight which resulted in the deaths of the three police officers.

Four other police officers were wounded due to the more than 20-minute firefight.

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The police force, with the help of soldiers belonging to the 43rd Infantry Battalion, conducted a follow-up operation to arrest the three subjects who fled on foot.

The fatalities and the wounded police officers were airlifted to Calbayog City in Samar.

The Ampoan Group, described by the police as an “emerging criminal group” operating in Sta. Margarita and nearby towns, is facing of string of murder cases in court.