A suspected pineapple thief was killed while two others escaped following an exchange of fire with a security guard at a pineapple plantation in Barangay Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato.

Authorities said the suspects were allegedly caught loading freshly harvested pineapples into a pickup truck when a security guard on patrol noticed them.

The guard told the police that one of the suspects opened fire, prompting him to return fire.

One of the suspects was hit and did not reach the hospital alive. Two others managed to escape.

“Kasi nagro-roving naman yung security guard and according to him, nakita niya na nagkakarga ng mga fresh harvested na pineapple fruits itong suspects sa isang pick up. Nang ma-notice daw niya itong allegedly nagnanakaw ng pinya, saka naman daw siya pinaputukan,” Tupi Municipal Police Station Spokesperson, Chief Master Sergeant Rea Gatinao, said.

The body of the slain suspect has been turned over to his family.

The security guard, on the other hand, was taken into police custody while investigation into the incident continues.

Authorities found the pickup truck nearly full of pineapples believed to have been stolen from the plantation.

Investigators are also verifying whether the pickup truck used by the suspects was a rented unit.

Police said security at the pineapple plantation has been tightened.

“Mas pinahigpit po ngayon ang seguridad and may technologis na po silang inistall…ng pineaaple plantation,” Gatinao added.