2 holduppers slain, 3 hurt in gunfight with Kalinga police

Syndicate operating in Regions 1,2,3 

By Aldwin Quitasol

TABUK CITY, Kalinga -- Two alleged holdup gangmen were killed while three of their companions were seriously wounded after they engaged police in a gunfight here Thursday morning, April 28 around 9:45 a.m. in Barangay Malalao.
    A Police Regional Office Cordillera report said Task Force "Limbas" personnel coordinated with Tabuk City Police Station regarding presence of a criminal group involved in robbery hold-up operating in Regions 2, 3 and 4 and transport of marijuana was sighted here.
    Together with PROCor personnel, Criminal and Investigation Group (CIDG) Kalinga-Apayao and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera, the task force conducted surveillance operation and set-up a checkpoint.
    While operating units were conducting checkpoint here along Barangay Bulo, a gray-black car reportedly disregarded cops and sped off trying to hit personnel manning the checkpoint. 
    Law enforcers said the five men onboard the vehicle pointed a gun at them prompting them to the latter until they reached Malalao, Tabuk City.
    A shootout ensued resulting to instant death of two suspects.
    Three of their companions sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Mejia Kim Hospital here in Barangay Agbannawag for treatment.
    The police were not able to identify the names of the suspects at press time.