Cop, 3 others slain in Cebu ambush

MANILA, Philippines — A police officer and three other persons, including a bystander, were killed in an ambush in Talisay, Cebu yesterday.

PO3 Micahel Cortes, 45; Jose Soroño and Dennis Patiluna were in a sport utility vehicle when they were attacked in Sitio Ranger, Barangay Pooc.

Cresenciana Ranghos, 50, who was collecting scrap materials, died after she was hit by stray bullets.

Chief Superintendent Marlu Conag, Talisay police chief, said there could be an exchange of gunfire, citing the number of bullet holes on the vehicle of the victims. 

The vehicle was recovered around 500 meters away from Cortes’ residence.   

Cortes’ wife Leda said her husband could be a victim of mistaken identity. She cited a certain PO2 Michael Cortez, who was included in President Duterte’s narco list in 2016.

Leda said her husband went to Camp Crame to clear his name and was told that the name was removed from the list. 

 Despite the clearance, Leda said her husband was transferred from the Barili police station in Cebu to Jolo, Sulu. 

She said Cortes was in Cebu to celebrate his birthday and attend court hearings. – Le Phyllis Antojado/The Freeman