Cops gun down armed person

CEBU, Philippines — An armed person who allegedly tried to engage in a shootout with the operatives of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Pinamungajan Police Station was shot dead at Sitio Lower Campo, Barangay Poblacion, Pinamungajan Cebu last Saturday morning.

The police identified the fatality as Selerino ‘Serle’ Montes, 44.

Police Chief Inspector Alfredo Kuhay, chief of Pinamungajan Police Station, said that prior to the incident, they received a phone call from a concerned citizen reporting about an armed person in the area.

Kuhay then ordered his two policemen, who were in the same barangay to conduct surveillance against a drug personality, to verify the report.

Upon arriving in the area, the police saw the suspect in possession of an undetermined firearm.

“Gihangyo ni siya nga ipa-surrender ang armas pero gusto man hinuon makipagpinusilay sa atong mga police. Lango daw sa druga. Ni-try ni siya og pabuto apan nag-malfunction maong para sa safety sa atong kapulisan ilang gi-neutralize ang suspect,” said Kuhay.

Montes, who suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen, was immediately brought to the nearest hospital.

He was later transferred to the Carcar City Hospital, where he was declared dead by the attending physician.

Kuhay said that Montes was not included on their watch list of drug personalities in the area, however, he is one of the personalities under validation for alleged drug involvement.

Recovered from the possession of Montes were .38 caliber revolver with live ammunition, six small and one medium packs of suspected shabu. (FREEMAN)