TACLOBAN CITY: Three police officers were killed and four of their comrades were wounded in a gun battle Tuesday between an armed criminal group and operatives serving warrants of arrest in Santa Margarita, Samar. Initial reports reaching the Philippine National Police (PNP) Eastern Visayas office said 1st Samar Provincial Mobile Force Company (SPMFC) and Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) agents headed to remote Mahayag village early in the day to arrest the leader and members of the Ampoan criminal group. The subject of the warrants of arrest are murder suspects Edito Ampoan, Jr., the gang leader; and gang members Jojo Altarejos and Rogelio Macorol. 'Operating units were engaged in a firefight against the abovementioned suspects during the implementation of the warrant of arrest,' the PNP regional office said, citing reports. Killed during the encounter were Staff Sgt. Christian Tallo and Corporal Eliazar Estrelles, Jr. of SPMFC; and M/Sgt. Paul Terence Paclibar of RFMB. Wounded were Corporals Rann el Pedamato and Mark Jason Sixta, and Patrolmen Ham Kritnere Capalis and Mark Redoblado. The operation resulted in the arrest of four unidentified suspects and recovery of an M-16 rifle, caliber .45 pistol, and several ammunitions. As of posting time, there was no information if any of the gang members were killed or wounded or if the subjects of the warrants were among those arrested. 'The PNP directed the Northern Samar police provincial office and RMFB to provide additional platoons for deployment and augmentation. Hot pursuit operation is being conducted against the other suspects,' the PNP regional office added. Residents displaced by the gun battle evacuated to the town's gymnasium. Source: Philippines News Agency
