Lubuagan: A former local official in Kalinga province who was wanted for a string of serious offenses was killed in a predawn shootout with the police on Wednesday. Corey Dickpus, former vice mayor of Lubuagan town, was killed when he engaged police officers in a shootout that lasted 30 minutes, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP said Dickpus was initially wounded and was brought to the Kalinga District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. A police officer was wounded in the firefight and is now in stable condition, the PNP added.

"I commend all the personnel who took part in the planning and the operation to arrest this fugitive," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said, as he vowed assistance to the wounded police officer.

Seized during the operation were an M16 rifle with M203 grenade launcher, an M14 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, 19 rounds of .40mm ammunition, five magazines for M14 rifle, five magazines for M16 rifle and two magazines for caliber .45 pistol.

The PNP said Dickpus was included in the Department of the Interior and Local Government's Most Wanted Persons list due to a string of criminal offenses, including the killing of two police officers. Dickpus served as barangay captain and vice mayor of Lubuagan town multiple times. He once again ran for vice mayor in 2025 but lost.