Cop, suspected gun-for-hire leader killed in Navotas encounter

A policeman and a suspected leader of a gun-for-hire gang were killed in an armed encounter in Navotas City early Saturday morning.

The Northern Police District said the incident occurred while the policeman was serving an arrest warrant on the suspect, radio dzBB's Glen Juego reported.

Citing initial information, the report identified the slain policeman as SPO4 Hector Laceda, and the suspected gang leader as Raymond Mangali.

Mangali, supposedly the third most wanted person in the Camanava area, allegedly leads a gun-for-hire group and has been linked to murder cases.

Wounded in the incident was Laceda's partner initially identified as SPO1 Fernando.

An initial investigation showed the two policemen were serving an arrest warrant on Mangali when Mangali tried to fire at them, triggering a shootout.

Mangali was killed on the spot while Laceda died while being treated at a hospital. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News