A SUSPECT for arson who was allegedly armed with a gun and a hand grenade was killed by police operatives in Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Thursday, September 20.
Members of the Balingasag town police and personnel from the provincial police office were supposed to serve an arrest warrant against the suspect identified as Michael Dahino, resident of barangay Mandangoa, but the operation turned bloody.
Dahino was facing arson charges before a regional trial court in Cagayan de Oro. The court did not allow him to post bail.
Initial investigation showed that the suspect manifested unlawful aggression when authorities approached him to carry out the court order.
Police said Dahino drew his gun and opened fire to the approaching policemen. None of the operatives was hit.
Report added that the suspect then attempted to throw a grenade but it failed when authorities were forced to retaliate to neutralize the suspect.
The suspect sustained gunshot wounds and did not survive in the hospital.
Police recovered 10 sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, known as “shabu,” two cellophanes of suspected dried marijuana leaves, and a caliber 38 revolver.
Superintendent Surki Serenas, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Northern Mindana, said the police is deeply saddened and discourages bloodshed during operations.
“If it could be avoided, we encourage our personnel to avoid it. Violence has never been and will never be a policy of the PNP. Likewise, we call on those who still engage in this illegal activities to once and for all stop! Because the PNP will never stop,” Serenas said. (Alwen Saliring)