PNP pays tribute to slain, injured cops in Cotabato clash
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., has paid tribute to a Cotabato policeman who was killed and two others who were wounded following a clash with heavily-armed robbers in M’lang municipality on Wednesday last week.
The cop, identified as Staff Sergeant Rudy Amihan Jr., a 51-year-old member of the M’lang Municipal Police Station, was shot in the chest during a gunbattle with two fleeing suspects in Purok 9 in Barangay Sangat and died while being taken to the hospital.
“Sergeant Amihan died with his boots on, in the finest police tradition of valor, service and sacrifice to serve and protect the people,” Azurin said as he assured the speedy release of all benefits to the family of the fallen cop.
The local police launched a massive dragnet operation against at least 12 suspects who staged a daring midday robbery in Bgy. Bagontapay last Wednesday. The series of clashes left Amihan, a civilian, and four of the suspects dead.
Four others, including two colleagues of Amihan, identified as Patrolman Noli Labesores and Pat. Herzon Neyra were wounded while exchanging fire with the armed robbers.
Two civilians were also injured during the incident.
All four were brought to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Hospital for medical treatment.
The Police Regional Office 12 (PRO 12), headed by Brig. Gen. Jimili L. Macaraeg said that Amihan was shot in the chest while responding to a heist in Bgy. Sangat. It turned out that two of the suspects tried to rob a 53-year-old man who happened to be buying something in a local bakery and restaurant at that time.
Members of the Cotabato Police Provincial Office headed by Col. Harold Ramos conducted a hot pursuit operation and later shot the two suspects to death during a firefight.
Two other suspects died in separate encounters with pursuing policemen in Sitio Quito in nearby Bgy. Dugong.
Macaraeg said he had ordered a massive hunt for the eight still unidentified suspects who fled towards the marshy land of Bgy. Dungo-an in M’lang. The official said that four handguns with several live ammunition were recovered from the possession of the slain suspects.
