4 cops, fugitive killed in Kalinga shootout

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Philippines – Four police officers were killed while three others were wounded in a shootout with Kalinga’s most wanted man in Lubuagan town yesterday morning.

The officers were out to serve arrest warrants against Willy Sagasag, who was also killed in the incident, and seven others when the firefight erupted at around 7:30 a.m., according to Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos, spokesman for the Philippine National Police.

The fatalities were identified as Police Officer 3 Cruzaldo Lawagan, PO2 Jovenal Aguinaldo and PO1s Charles Compas and Vincent Paul Tay-od, all of the Kalinga Police Public Safety Company.

Taken to the Kalinga Provincial Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds were Senior Inspector Edward Liclic and PO1 Ferdinand Asuncion and Ferdie Liwag.

Kalinga police director Senior Superintendent Brent Madjaco said Sagasag was wanted for murder, frustrated murder and robbery cases.

 Police said Sagasag was tagged in the ambush that left three lawmen dead in 2002.

The suspect, who was arrested in 1998 and 2001, had a P600,000 reward for his capture.

He reportedly freed two inmates after killing two jail guards when he escaped the municipal jail in 1998.

Reports said Sagasag’s wife was wounded in the crossfire.

Investigators recovered bullet shells and several firearms at the crime scene.