Soldier killed, 2 cops hurt in Marikina shootout

MANILA, Philippines — A soldier of the Philippine Army was killed in a shootout with two policemen in front of a commercial complex in Marikina yesterday morning.

Army S/Sgt. Marvin Balucas was reportedly casing the Riverbanks Center, waiting to attack EMSgt. Demetrio Magpali Jr. and M/Sgt. Edward Yap, both detailed at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, according to probers.

Col. Restituto Arcangel, Marikina police chief, said the policemen were riding their motorcycles along Bonifacio Avenue and were blocked by Balucas, also riding a motorcycle.

“Upon the policemen’s turn to Riverbanks Center, the gunman was there waiting for them. He was the first to fire, the policemen retaliated,” Arcangel told The STAR, citing witnesses’ accounts.

Balucas reportedly fired several times at Yap, prompting Magpali to return fire, killing Balucas at the scene.

Magpali and Yap, who sustained injuries, were brought to Amang Rodriguez Memorial Hospital. The policemen are now in stable condition, according to Arcangel, who said they were transferred to the Chinese General Hospital in Manila.

Crime scene operatives found over 30 spent bullet casings at the scene. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the encounter, according to the Eastern Police District.