Alabang mistaken encounter probed

MANILA, Philippines - The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) will investigate an apparent mistaken encounter in Alabang, Muntinlupa City that left a policeman and an alleged target of an anti-carjacking operation dead and five others wounded Monday night.

HPG director Chief Superintendent Arrazad Subong yesterday ordered the HPG intelligence and investigation division to look into the shooting incident, said HPG spokesperson Superintendent Elizabeth Velasquez.

SPO1 Macario Romano of the HPG and Michael Maranan, 33, of Fabian Compound in Alabang were killed in the firefight.

Wounded were SPO1 Aniceto Ejeres Santiago of the HPG and PO3 Mersar Rapirap of the Muntinlupa police; and bystanders Heart Macapagal, 10; Aileen Duran, 30, and Anna Loraine Manaran.

Velasquez said that Romano and Santiago had coordinated the operation with the Muntinlupa police.

“We still don’t know the circumstances that led to the shootout between the lawmen,” she said.

The Muntinlupa police under Senior Superintendent Roque Vega is conducting its own probe on the incident. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Perseus Echeminada