TEN persons, including four policemen, were injured during a raid in Barangay Masaling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, early Thursday, May 17.
Wounded were Police Officer 3 Reynaldo Bauden Jr., Police Officer 2 Rolando Algje Prieto, Senior Police Officer 2 Bryan Tabor, and Police Officer 1 Gary Norico, all personnel of Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOCPMFC).
Also injured were Chris Jun Taquiso, 31; Romy Taquiso, 35; and Lusino Demol, 50, all residents of Cauayan town; and Raymund Melocoton, 29, of Silay City, alleged security guards.
A woman and a 12-year-old child were reportedly hit by stray bullets during the shootout.
Joint operatives of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Western Visayas led by Superintendent Julius Caesar Mana, CIDG-Negros Occidental led by Chief Inspector John Paula Tuvera, NOCPMFC, and Cauayan Municipal Police Station applied search warrant on the house of Rodel Taquiso and Salem Teodolo for violation of Republic Act 10591 or Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
However, when the operatives arrived in the area around 4:45 a.m., the suspects allegedly fired at them. The shootout lasted for one hour. It also resulted in the injuries of four policemen, four suspects, and two other civilians.
The two subject persons, who were allegedly members of Galendez gun-for-hire group, were arrested, while Rodante Lontoc, a most wanted person in the national level, managed to escape during the operation.
Wounded policemen were brought to Mother of Mercy Hospital in Kabankalan City and were later transferred to a hospital in Bacolod City. They are now in stable condition.
The wounded suspects were brought to Mother of Mercy Hospital in Kabankalan City.
Authorities also arrested six other suspects identified as Jose Sambilad, 41, of Bago City; Nomeriano Tiñosa, 39; Ricardo Melecoton, 18, both residents of Silay City; Mark Dela Cruz, 33; Gener Uldaim, 25; and Joseph Taguan, 39, all residents of Cauayan town, also workers of the hacienda.
Police recovered from the scene three Armscor shotgun, .38 caliber revolver, .45 caliber pistol, two hand grenades, binocular, 18 live ammunition of 12 gauge shotgun, 19 live ammunition of .38 caliber revolver, five live ammunition of .45 caliber pistol, six live ammunition of .22 caliber, two empty cartridge cases of 12 gauge shotgun, 14 cellular phones, and a belt bag.
Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil Jr., director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said the CIDG tapped them for assistance during the operation after learning that the area has reported the presence of armed men.
But Ramon Hilado, administrator of the hacienda, said in a television interview that there were no armed men at the hacienda, only security guards.
Hilado also said the hacienda was guarded because there was an ongoing case in court regarding the land.
Castil said charges will be filed against the 10 suspects.
Award
Police Regional Office-Western Visayas Director Cesar Binag, together with Castil, visited the four wounded policemen at a hospital in Bacolod City on Thursday, May 17.
The wounded police officers were awarded medals for their heroism and bravery in the call of duty. They were also given bandoliers and backpacks that they can use for future police operations.