Cotabato town police chief shot dead while pursuing suspects

COTABATO CITY  — The town police chief of Carmen, Cotabato was killed during an encounter after his team chased armed suspects who earlier figured in a shooting incident involving a foreigner.

Police Colonel Henry Villar, provincial police director, identified the police official as Police Major Joan Resurreccion.

"It was an unfortunate day for us law enforcers," he said. "We are still conducting hot pursuit operation."

Resurreccion reportedly led the a hot-pursuit operation against the suspects who shot a foreigner, believed to be a Pakistani, in Barangay Poblacion past 10 a.m.

The pursuing policemen then reached Brgy. Tawantawan where they were fired upon by a group of armed men, resulting in an encounter.

“Upon reaching near the quarry site in Brgy. Tawantawan, Carmen, Cotabato, the pursuing police elements was fired upon by a lawless group wherein PMaj Joan Resurreccion was fatally hit by a bullet,” Villar said.

The police are investigating the incident. —Ferdinandh Cabrera/KBK, GMA News