SWAT member critically wounded in Kidapawan shooting incident

A member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) of the Kidapawan City Police was seriously wounded when an alleged drug surrenderer shot him while trying to respond to a shooting incident at the boundary of Datu Ingkal Street and Quezon Boulevard in Kidapawan City, around 10:15 p.m., Saturday.

Superintendent Ramel Hojilla, Kidapawan City police director, identified the wounded SWAT member as Police Officer 3 Eric John "Dado" Yamuta.

Citing initial information Hojilla said that suspect Sugar Ray Dimaano shot chainsaw operator Alvin Taran first and then fired at Yamuta, who was responding to the situation.

Dimaano, police records showed, is a drug surrenderer and a resident of Barangay Sudapin, Kidapawan City.

Hojilla said that Yamuta, who was driving his motorycle at that time, happened to be in the area when the shooting of Taran took place.   He was doing security check along the highway but was doing it alone.  He didn't have a buddy at that time, according to Hojilla.

Witnesses said Yamuta fired his 9mm pistol and hit three suspects: Dimaano, a certain David Adolfo, and Mario Pagaduan dela Cruz. 

Yamuta, however, ran out of bullets and Dela Cruz got a chance to shoot the cop.

Yamuta was hit in the head and was rushed to the Kidapawan Doctors Hospital, Inc (KDCI).   At about 2 a.m. Sunday, he was transferred to a hospital in Davao City.  He is still in critical condition as of this posting. 

Meanwhile, Dimaano and Adolfo were rushed to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center, and Dela Cruz at the Madonna General Hospital.  On the other hand, Taran,  the main target of the suspects, was  brought to KDCI. 

Taran is still fighting for his life, Hojilla said, adding that investigators are still determining Dimaano's motive of trying to kill him.

Authorities are also investigating Dimaano's alleged involvement in illegal drug trade. —LBG, GMA News