2 Iligan cops killed

TWO policemen were killed after they were shot by two armed men in Iligan City Saturday evening while conducting mobile patrol along Tino Badelles St. in Barangay Poblacion, authorities said Monday.

Police Superintendent Ronnie Francis Cariaga, Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office spokesperson, identified the fatalities as Police Officer 3 (PO3) Christopher Neniza and PO1 John Yolan Manatad. Both were assigned at Police Station 5.

The two cops succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds in different parts of their body from a caliber .45 pistol.

Authorities said the suspects took the two issued firearms of the policemen, including their issued handheld radio, before fleeing on board a motorcycle.

Iligan police recovered an empty shell of .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

“Based sa ilang report, nagsakay sa mobile car ang duha ka mga pulis kay nagpatrolya sila,” Cariaga told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro Monday.

Police Regional Director Catalino Rodriguez expressed sympathy to the family of the slain policemen but said the incident will not prevent the police from continuing their campaign against street criminalities.

Rodriguez said the incident pushes them more to double their efforts in protecting the people.