Man served search warrant dies in shootout
What was intended to be the serving of a search warrant turned to a bloody operation when a man named in the warrant allegedly engaged police in a shootout in Cotabato province before dawn Friday.
Jessie Catayna alias "Jess," 47, of Purok 2, Sitio Bliss, Brgy. Manubuan, Matalam, Cotabato was shot dead after allegedly resisting arrest and fighting it out with cops.
In the same incident, Police Officer 2 Joey Quicoy, of the Matalam Municipal Police Station, sustained gunshot wounds in the right shoulder and buttock.
A report reaching Chief Superintendent Eliseo Rasco, regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO) 12, disclosed that joint elements from Cotabato police's Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), Provincial Mobile Force Company (CPMFC) and Matalam Municipal Police Station served the warrant against Catayna at his house address around 1:30 a.m.
The search warrant, dated Oct. 8, 2018, was issued by Judge Alandrex Betoya, presiding judge of Cotabato Regional Trial Court Branch 16. It was issued for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
According to the report, the raiding team had just entered Catayna's house when they were met with gunfire from one of the rooms.
PO2 Quicoy, who was among the first to enter the house, was hit.
Police retaliated and discovered Catayna in the room. When asked to surrender, Catayna fired at the cops, who fired back, the report said.
Catayna was hit several times in the body and was rushed to Babol General Hospital in Poblacion, Matalam, Cotabato, where he declared dead on arrival by the attending doctor.
Meanwhile, PO2 Quicoy was brought to Matalam Midway Hospital before being transferred to Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center, Inc. in Kidapawan City for treatment.
Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered 22 pieces of 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.
The cops also searched Catayna's house and recovered a hand grenade and two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.