1 dead, 2 arrested in Skyline shootout

POLICEMEN killed on Sunday a person wanted for carnapping and murder and arrested two men believed to be his cohorts in an encounter at Skyline Subdivision in Catalunan Grande, Davao City, around 8 p.m.

Senior Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, identified the fatality as Jun Cunanan, 51, resident of Malita in Davao del Sur.

Those arrested were identified as Teofani Cheng Delos Reyes Jr., 54, Cunanan’s driver who hails from Cagayan de Oro City but lives in San Miguel in Tagum City, and Reynaldo Watin Languido, 49, said to be a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) member who hails from Sulop but lives in Malita in Davao del Sur.

Dela Rosa said the three men were tagged in several crimes in Davao del Sur and Davao City.

The shootout and arrest was a joint operation by DCPO's Investigation and Detection Management Branch (IDMB), Technical Support Platoon (TSP), Public Safety Company (PSC), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and Talomo Police Station.

The police were to serve a warrant of arrest issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 17 when the shootout happened.

Dela Rosa said the three were charged for the crime of murder under criminal case number 36,137 and carnapping with criminal case number 35,136 and 35,137.

The three were spotted at Skyline onboard a black Mitsubishi Strada vehicle.

HPG personnel flagged the vehicle down but this sped off, leading to a chase.

When the pursuing policemen cornered the vehicle, Cunanan allegedly disembarked and shot the policemen while his two companions fled.

“Cunanan wasn't able to hit us, so bago pa man nay maigo sa among kauban mao na tong gipusil siya (he was shot before he could hit any of the policemen), while other authorities chased after his two cohorts and arrested them in the same area," Dela Rosa said.

Recovered from the vehicle of the suspects were a caliber .38 pistol, five live ammunition, one Armscor caliber .45 pistol, one magazine loaded with eight live ammunition, one Colt .45 pistol, one magazine loaded with five live ammunition, another Armscor caliber .45 pistol with a magazine loaded with eight live ammunition, Icon and Hyt brand two-way radios, and other personal belongings.

Recovered from the possession of Cunanan was one Snub Nose caliber .38 pistol.

The recovered firearms are now at the Scene of the Crime Operatives (Soco) for ballistics examination.

The body of Cunanan was brought to Collado Funeral Parlor in Bangkal, while the two other suspects are now detained at the Talomo Police Station and will be charged with violation of Presidential Decree 1866 as amended by the Republic Act 8294, otherwise known as Illegal Possession, Manufacture or Dealing In, Acquisition or Disposition of Firearms, Ammunition or Explosives.

It could not yet be established what Cafgu unit Languido belongs to.

On the other hand, Dela Rosa dared kibitzers to prove accusations that Cunanan did not fire at the policemen.

"Bakit nandoon ba sila sa entire scenario nung nangyari ang habulan at putukan? Nandyan ba sila sa harap ng mga suspect at police to utter those accusation?" Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said, as he visited the scene around 8:45 p.m.

Duterte also lauded the authorities for a job well done.