Cop shoots it out with 2 hitmen in Ilocos Sur

By Mar T. Supnad and Freddie G. Lazaro

BANTAY, Ilcos Sur – A police sergeant who was attacked by an armed duo riding in tandem on a motorcycle, managed to return fire in an action-packed encounter in Barangay Nagiddayan, here that led to the wounding and arrest of the bad guys Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately, the movie-style shootout also killed SPO 3 Marcelino Presto Jr., assigned to the San Fernando City Police Station in La Union, while undergoing treatment at a hospital here at 5:10 p.m.

Insp. Samson Ablog, chief of police here, hailed Presto for his bravery and lauded him for wounding his assailants who were later identified as father-and-son, Senolino Sayo and NorielSayo, both of Barangay Pug-os, Cabugao, Ilocos Sur.

Ablog said Presto was buying bibingka (a rice cake) at a store in Barangay Naguiddayan, when the suspects approached him and started to open fire, hitting him in the chest and stomach.

Although he sustained three bullet wounds from a .45-caliber pistol, Presto was able to run to get his M-16 rifle from inside his car and fire back at the suspects.

He even got into his car to drive himself to the hospital. Meantime, police were alerted and went after the fleeing suspects who were also wounded.

The duo was captured in Barangay Tay-ac and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Ablog said the motive of the suspects is now under investigation.