SIX individuals, including a police officer, were killed following a shootout between responding cops and robbers in M’lang, Cotabato on Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said on Friday, November 25, 2022.

Azurin identified the killed policeman as Police Staff Sergeant Rudy Amihan.

Among the other fatalities were a civilian identified as Jack Gumilao, while the rest were the robbery suspects.

Azurin said based on reports from the local police, 12 armed men robbed a bakery in Barangay Bagontapay and took away P17,000 worth of cash.

The encounter started when the group split up while fleeing as they chanced upon a police checkpoint in Barangay Gaunan.

Some suspects were encountered by the police in Sitio Quitos in Barangay Dugong that resulted in the death of two suspects, while two of their cohorts were cornered in Purok 9, Barangay Sangat.

Amihan was killed in Barangay Sangat as he sustained gunshot wounds in the chest. The two suspects they encountered also died.

Azurin said pursuit operation against the eight other suspects is ongoing.

The top cop condoled the bereaved family and ensured the provision of benefits to the slain cop. (SunStar Philippines)