KIBLAWAN, Davao del Sur - A five-year-old boy died while a five-year-old girl was wounded when armed bandits peppered a house with bullets Thursday night, April 5,in Barangay Tacul, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur.
A suspected leader of the B’laan bandits, meanwhile, also died in an encounter with the police, who were conducting follow-up operations in relation to the first incident.
Ariel Saluntay, suspected bandit leader, was killed in a clash with the Kiblawan town police and Davao del Sur Provincial Police.
The child who died was identified as John John Pandoy, 5, while the wounded child was identified as Realyn Guitguit, 5, who is currently being treated at Gregorio Matas Hospital.
Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz, Police Regional Office (PRO) Davao Region spokesperson, said the gunmen opened fire at the house of one Alan Pandoy.
John John died on the spot while Realyn was hit on her foot.
During the encounter between the bandits and the police, a member of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) was also wounded.
Authorities recovered a gun and personal items that were believed to be owned by the bandits.