3 slain in Maguindanao checkpoint shootout

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines —  Three motorcycle riders were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers manning a checkpoint in Barangay Gumagadong Calawag in Parang town on Tuesday.

Abib Sarotsong, Acero Kibad and Todto Pangalian, all residents of Barira town, refused to pull over and instead drew their guns, Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police said yesterday.

Investigation showed the fatalities were murder suspects.

The police and military started putting up checkpoints in strategic areas on Saturday with the start of the election period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Roberto Salamanca, 41, was arrested after he yielded a caliber .45 pistol and bullets during a body search at a police station in Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte also on Tuesday, Chief Inspector Rennel Serrano, Cabadbaran police chief, said.

Salamanca went to the police station after his neighbor Edgar Alwamiento filed a complaint for allegedly threatening to shoot him.

Salamanca faces charges for violation of the election gun ban. – With Ben Serrano