Man slain in shootout at checkpoint

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga, Philippines – A man was killed while another escaped after a shootout with policemen manning a checkpoint in Nueva Ecija before dawn on Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Rudy Lacadin, Police Regional Office-Region 3 director, said the incident occurred when the motorcycle-riding men refused to pull over and instead fired at the policemen.

Police have yet to identify the slain suspect.

In Kalinga, three persons have been arrested for violating the election gun ban since Jan. 10.

George Balawag, David Cuaresma and Regie Guimpalong were nabbed at various checkpoints in the province, Dexter Cawis, Kalinga election supervisor, said yesterday.

Cawis appealed for the cooperation of the public during inspection even as he reminded those manning the checkpoint to observe courtesy.

Violators of the election gun ban face up to six years imprisonment.