Manhunt on vs suspects who killed police officer

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews) – Classes have been suspended in the town of Libertad, Misamis Oriental, 40 kms west from here, as police continue the manhunt against the suspects who shot and killed a police officer in a shootout along the highway near the town’s center Monday evening.

Libertad Mayor Reynaldo Uy said he ordered the suspension of classes in the elementary and high school levels to keep the school children safe as the manhunt continues Tuesday.

Capt. Ram Camilotes, chief of Libertad police, said they arrested one of the four suspects who fled after the shooting Monday night. The suspect reportedly injured his foot as he jumped from Taytayan Bridge in Barangay Dolong.

He identified the suspect as Richard Perez, a resident of Sitio Mahayahay, Barangay Bangkal in Cebu City.

Camilotes said they are still looking for three suspects whom are “armed and dangerous.”

He said a search on the white Mitsubishi Mirage car with plate number plate VOG 805 yielded two KG 9 machine pistols, four caliber .45 pistols and four grenades.

Policemen conducting a mobile checkpoint in Taytayan Bridge intercepted the Mitsubishi car coming from Cagayan de Oro around 8 p.m. Monday.

Camilotes said the car pulled to a stop after it was flagged down but the occupants fired at the policemen.

One of the policeman, Staff Sgt. Ronald Caayupan, was killed immediately. Staff Sgt. Fernando Maestrado and a bystander identified as Dina Patlunag were wounded.

Camilotes said the remaining policemen engaged the suspects in a five-minute shootout, killing one of them.

He identified the slain suspect as Jephon Pabriga Penangisan, 33, a resident of Ozamiz City. A few sachets of suspected shabu were reportedly found in the latter’s possession, along with several identification cards with different names.

Camilotes said they are still looking for three more suspects who escaped on foot.