4 PNP officers slain, 3 hurt in Kalinga clash

Cordillera’s top most wanted person killed 

LUBUAGAN, Kalinga – Four police officers were killed while three were wounded when they engaged in a firefight Cordillera’s “top most wanted person” and his group  here around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Malusong, Antonio Canao.

Also killed was the TMWP identified as Willy Sagasag of Lubuagan, who had monetary reward of P600,000 on his head.

Sagasag was wanted for multiple and frustrated murder, robbery and intimidation filed with various courts in Cordillera and nearby regions.

Killed in action were PO3 Cruzaldo Lawagan, PO1 Jovenal Manadao Aguinaldo, PO1 Charles Ryan Dongui-is Compas and PO1 Vincent Tay-od.

Wounded policemen were Senior Insp. Eduardo Liclic, PO1 Ferdie Liwag and PO1 Ferdinand Asuncion.

The cops were serving warrant of arrest against Sagasag and seven John Does issued by presiding judge Milnar Lammawin of Regional Trial Court, Branch 25, 2nd Judicial Region of Bulanao, Tabuk City, Kalinga for multiple murder and frustrated murder.

Sagasag was subject of several police operations which did not succeed until this incident.

A police report said cops led by Kalinga police director Senior Supt. Brent Madjaco served warrant of arrest against Sagasag who was cornered.

However, they were met by volley of fire from Sagasag’s group who were positioned in different directions that led to a firefight. As a result, four cops were killed while three were critically wounded which included Senior Insp. Eduard Liclic.

During clearing operations, operatives found the body of Sagasag in encounter site while undetermined number of his group were wounded but managed to escape.

Sagasag’s body was brought to Malusong.

The wounded were evacuated to nearby hospital for treatment.  Personnel of Regional Health Service facilitated medical welfare of wounded cops.

Relatives of casualties were notified and provided initial cash assistance for immediate medication of the wounded and bereaved families.  

Regional police director Chief Supt. Elmo Francis Oco Sarona extended his condolences to bereaved families and relatives of the wounded.

The police report said investigators are trying to identify cohorts and coddlers of Sagasag.

The team of investigators from police regional investigation and detective management was dispatched to assist Kalinga police in  investigation and filing of cases against Sagasag’s group  responsible in the wounding and killing of PNP personnel.

The Kalinga Provincial Crime Laboratory Office and personnel of Kalinga Provincial Investigation and Detection Branch recovered from firefight site 36 pieces of 5.56 mm cartridge cases, one M16, one black rig, one long plastic magazine, three short and three long metal magazines with 127 rounds of live ammunition for M16 owned by Sagasag.

Sarona urged Kalinga residents provide information about  identity of other suspects.