Marine gunned down

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – A Marine was gunned down while driving his motorcycle along Sinsuat Avenue here on Tuesday.

T/Sgt. Leopoldo Tan Monsenera was on his way home to Lebak, Sultan Kudarat for a holiday break when the attack occurred.

A firefight ensued when responding policemen and members of the Army’s 5th Special Forces Battalion cornered the suspects, identified as Jean Bakal and Mingz Almansa.

Bakal, who was wounded in the encounter, was arrested. Almansa escaped.

Residents John Christopher Lugyano, Richie Hagimit, Alfie Palanting and Danny Benito, who were caught in the crossfire, suffered gunshot wounds.