5 crime suspects slain in Cotabato ‘shootout’

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Five alleged members of a criminal syndicate including a former separatist rebel were killed in an alleged shootout in Kabacan, Cotabato before dawn on Tuesday.

Two companions of the fatalities including a woman were arrested while two others escaped following a raid on the suspects’ hideout in Barangay Lower Paatan.

The raiding team – composed of members of the police, the military and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency –  was out to serve an arrest warrant on Ibrahim Macalnas, who was wanted for murder and illegal drugs, according to Lt. Col. April Lu Palma, Kabacan police chief.

However, Macalnas’ followers resisted and reportedly fired at the arresting team, triggering a shootout that resulted in his death as well as of his brother, Datukan, his follower Ismael Luncayao and two others whose identities were not immediately available.

Police said Luncayao was the prime suspect in the killing of a bread vendor.

The fatalities’ companions, identified as Monera Macalnas, 38, and Teggy Macalnas were arrested for alleged possession of 12 sachets of shabu and a handgun.

Those who escaped were identified as Nasrudin and Alinor, both surnamed Gumonsang.

Police said the raiding team recovered a fragmentation grenade from one of the fatalities, and a rifle, two pistols, a shotgun and another grenade at the suspects lair.

Probers said security has been intensified in the village, which reportedly had been under the control of the group, to prevent retaliation against the residents.