Cop killed, another one hurt in Misamis Oriental clash

A police officer was killed while another one was wounded following an encounter between the police and some armed men in Libertad, Misamis Oriental on Monday night.

The Police Regional Office 10 on Tuesday identified the slain cop as Police Staff Sergeant Ronald Caayupan while Police Chief Master Sergeant Fernando Maestrado was wounded in the firefight.

Police said the security forces from the Libertad Municipal Police Station were conducting checkpoint operation at the national highway in Poblacion when at least five men on board a white Mitsubishi Mirage fired shots to the policemen.

This prompted the policemen to fire back at the armed men. One of the suspects, identified as Jephone Tinamisan, 33, was killed in the encounter.

Recovered in the encounter site were four units of cal. 45 pistol, two units of KG 9, one 9MM pistol, four hand grenades, and five plastic sachets containing suspected shabu.

Earlier today, another suspect was arrested in the hot pursuit operation. He was identified as Richard Son Perez, 31, who is now under the custody of the Libertad police for filing of appropriate charges.

Meanwhile, the PRO 10 expressed sympathy to the bereaved family of the killed cop. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News