Wanted man killed in shootout

A wanted man was killed in an alleged shootout with police during the service of a search warrant in Matalam, Cotabato before dawn Friday.

The suspect was identified as Jessie Catayna, alias "Jess," 47, of Purok 2, Sitio Bliss, Barangay Manubuan, Matalam.

A report reaching Chief Supt. Eliseo Rasco, director of the Police Regional Office 12, disclosed that joint elements from the Cotabato police Provincial Intelligence Branch, Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Matalam Municipal Police Station served the warrant against Catayna in his house around 1:30 a.m.

The search warrant dated Oct. 8, 2018 was issued by Judge Alandrex Betoya, presiding judge of the Cotabato Regional Trial Court Branch for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.

The report said the raiding team had just entered Catayna's house when they were met with gunfire from one of the rooms.

PO2 Joey Quicoy of the Matalam Municipal Police, who was among the first to enter the abode, was wounded in the right shoulder and buttock.

Police approached Catayna in the room and was asked to surrender. However, he responded with more gunfire, prompting police to return fire.

Catayna sustained multiple bullet wounds and was rushed to Babol General Hospital in Poblacion, Matalam where he was declared dead.

Quicoy was first brought to Matalam Midway Hospital and transferred to Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center Inc. in Kidapawan City for further treatment.

Scene-of-the-Crime Operatives processed the crime scene and recovered 22 fired cartridge cases of caliber 5.56 mm, a fired cartridge case of caliber 45. pistol, a caliber .45 pistol, and a bullet for a caliber .45 pistol.

Police searched Catayna house and recovered a hand grenade and two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected shabu.

The recovered items were submitted to Crime Laboratory and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit for proper disposition.