2 cops injured in shootout

TWO policemen were injured during a shootout with seven armed men in Manticao, Misamis Oriental on Wednesday night.

Police said seven suspects were also arrested after the encounter.

The wounded policemen were identified as Police Office 1 (PO1) Harley Tanque and PO1 Kent Centural.

Tanque was hit in his back while Centural suffered a fracture in his left leg.

Police identified the seven suspects who were later arrested as Rodrigo Quirante, 34; Edwin B. Quirante, 28; Pedro B. Quirante Jr., 30; Roseller Quirante Sr., 44; Roseller F. Fuertez Jr., 19; Pedro C. Quirante Sr., 64, all residents of Iligan City; and Joel B. Quirante, 28, a resident of Gitagum town in Misamis Oriental.

Senior Superintendent Rolando Hinanay, Misamis Oriental Provincial Police director, said the two policemen, who are members of the Manticao Municipal Police Station, along with other personnel, responded to a call for police assistance in Barangay Cabalantian, Manticao town at around 10 p.m.

Hinanay said while heading to the area, the armed men allegedly fired at the proceeding policemen, hitting Tanque in his back.

The policemen earlier received a report from a barangay official of “alleged indiscriminate firing” in the said village. The village official even presented an empty shell to police as proof.

The suspects fled but Manticao police later launched a pursuit operation that resulted in the arrest of the suspects.

PO2 Pedrito Cocamas said they are still conducting an investigation of the incident.

The suspects are now temporarily detained at the Manticao Police Station pending the filing of appropriate charges against them.