Google map of Sominot municipality, Zamboanga del Sur.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four suspected gunmen were separately arrested after an encounter that resulted in the death of a policeman and wounding of another in Zamboanga del Sur, a top police official said Wednesday.
Two of the four arrested suspects were also injured during Tuesday afternoon's clash along the boundary of Barangays New Oroquieta and New Carmen in Sominot town, according to Zamboanga del Sur police director Col. Diomarie Albarico.
Albarico identified the arrested suspects as Rogelio Mehoy Cabasan, 52, a village watchman; Tito Sereno Mabanto, 36; Dioneso Sereno Mabanto, 57; and Leonie Sereno Mabanto, 48.
Albarico said the encounter occurred while the personnel of the Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Intelligence Unit (ZSPIU) were checking on the reported presence of two motorcycle-riding gunmen in the area.
A member of the ZSPIU, Staff Sgt. Khalid Jade Dacula was killed while Staff Sgt. Ronald Banagbanag was wounded during the clash.
Reinforcements from the Sominot municipal police station, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Regional Mobile Force Battalion’s 902nd Company arrived at the clash site but the gunmen had escaped, Albarico said.
A follow-up operation led by Albarico was launched that resulted in the arrest of Cabasan, who was injured, around 5:24 p.m. Tuesday in Barangay New Oroquieta.
Recovered from the possession of Cabasan were a .357 Magnum revolver and a .45 caliber pistol.
Albarico said the other three suspects were arrested around 5:55 p.m. on the same day, also in New Oroquieta.
One of the suspects, Mabanto, had a bullet wound on his right leg, the police official said.
Recovered from the three suspects were an M-16 rifle, a magazine for a .45-caliber pistol, and the missing 9mm pistol of the slain cop.
Albarico said appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects. (PNA)
