2 gang members killed after attacking cop
TWO members of a gang involved in a riot were killed by the responding policeman Tuesday evening on Magsaysay Street, Calinan District, Davao City, after the duo allegedly tried to gang up on the cop.
In a press forum yesterday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Police Senior Superintendent Alexander Tagum said that the incident happened at 9:15 p.m. when a concerned citizen called Calinan Police Station and immediately responded to the riot.
When the officers arrived and disembarked to intervene and control the ongoing melee, five individuals armed with firearms attacked the policeman of the Mobile Patrol Unit.
Two of the gangmen were also about to shoot him with their homemade guns (sumpak), but the policeman beat them to the draw.
He identified the suspect as Jovany Mante, 23, and Jomar Mante, 27. They were brought to a hospital, but were declared dead by the attending physician.
The policeman involved will be asked to undergo forensic investigation to collaborate his story.
He added that he directed Calinan Police Station commander Police Chief Inspector Michael Uyanguren to conduct inquest proceeding against the other suspects on the crime scene for further investigation on the personnel involved.
“I have also directed my chief of investigation Police Chief Inspector Oliver Navales to proceed to Calinan Police Station early this morning to supervise our conduct of investigation,” he said.
He assured that they will not only focus their investigation on the suspect but also on their personnel involved in the shooting incident if there are irregularities in his action.
As of yesterday, the wounded police was already out of the hospital and inquest proceeding of the other two arrested gang members will face criminal charges for direct assault.
“But definitely we will be filing a case against the suspects for attacking our personnel who is just performing his duty to stop the gang riot,” he said.
The filing of cases against the police, Tagum said, will be up to the family of the two fatalities. JCR