A 55-year-old man died in a gunfight with policemen as the cops were trying to implement a search warrant at his house in Barangay Bunducan, Nasugbu, Batangas.

The warrant was issued because the man allegedly violated Republic Act 10591 or the law on Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition.

According to the police, the suspect first fired shots when he noticed several police officers outside his residence.

The police claimed that the suspect continued to shoot at them even after they identified themselves. 

“Sumigaw po ulit kami na kami po ay mga pulis from Batangas, and mayroon po kaming search warrant… again po, ang kaniya pong iginanti sa amin ay sunod-sunod na putok which prompted us to defend ourselves also from his continued aggression,” PLTCOL. Ryan Hernandez, Chief of the Provincial Intelligence Unit of Batangas PPO, said.

The police returned fire, hitting the suspect four times. The suspect was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. 

Two other men in the area who allegedly attempted to shoot at the police were also arrested.

“Noong time na magkaroon ng encounter, sila ay mga naka-duyan sa tabi ng bahay and seemingly ito pong dalawang tao na ito ay mga security nu’ng ating subject ng search warrant. Sila ay may dalang baril which yield[ed] the reason para sa ating officers to effect the arrest also against these two personalities,” Hernandez said.

The two men, along with several firearms, suspected shabu, two improvised firearms, and around 40 rounds of various calibers of ammunition, were placed under the custody of the Nasugbu Police Station.

Police reminded the public to cooperate with authorities and report illegal activities they may witness.

“Tanging paalala ko sa ating mga kababayan ay makipag-cooperate sa ating kapulisan at kung sila may nakikitang ganitong mga iligal na posibleng gamitin sa mas bayolenteng aktibidades ay i-inform ang ating kapulisan para mabigyan natin ng agarang aksyon,” Hernandez said.