Manhunt on for killers of cop, farmer in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Police authorities are tracking down the armed men, who shot dead two persons, including a police officer, in M’lang, North Cotabato, Thursday evening.

Supt. Bernard Tayong, North Cotabato police spokesperson, identified the slain cop as Senior Police Officer 1 Jovette Galan, a member of the M’lang police force.

Galan was on board his motorcycle cruising along Purok 2, Barangay Lika, around 6:30 p.m. when fired upon from behind by men riding-in-tandem.

The gunmen sped off to an unknown direction following the incident, spiriting away the cop’s motorbike as they escaped.

Concerned locals rushed the Galan to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Recovered from the crime scene were empty shells from .45 caliber pistols used by the gunmen in the attack.

Supt. Geovanni Ladeo, M’lang town police chief, said the murder of Galan could be related to his work as a police intelligence officer of the municipal police force.

Around 6:40 p.m., another shooting incident transpired in M’lang, this time in Purok 5, Barangay Nueva Vida, which led to the death of Dante Alimama, a local farmer.

Ladeo said Alimama was standing in front of his home when a lone gunman appeared and shot him several times, killing him instantly.

Senior Supt. Maximo Layugan, North Cotabato police director, has directed all police units in the province to get the killers of the two victims at the soonest time possible. (PNA)