BACOLOD CITY — Four policemen and four civilians were wounded in a shootout during the serving of a search warrant to two persons at Sitio Matab-ang, Barangay Masaling in Cauayan town early Thursday morning.
Cauayan, the third farthest town south of Negros Occidental, is about 120 kilometers away from Bacolod.
A report of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) said the operation, which started around 4:45 a.m., resulted in a firefight that lasted for almost an hour.
The wounded policemen were identified as Police Officer 3 Reynaldo Bauden Jr., who sustained a leg injury, and Police Officer 2 Rolando Algje Prieto, was injured on the mouth.
Both are now in stable condition at a Bacolod hospital.
The two others were Senior Police Officer 2 Bryan Tabon and Police Officer 1 Gary Norico, who sustained only minor injuries.
All four are personnel of the Negros Occidental Provincial Mobile Force Company (NOCPMFC).
The operation, initiated by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Field Unit-6 led by Superintendent Julius Caesar Mana in coordination with the Negros Occidental Police headed by Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, was conducted to serve the search warrant to Rodel Taquiso and Salem Teodosio for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms And Ammunition Regulation Act.
Both Taquiso and Teodolo were arrested unscathed after the firefight.
Ten others, including the four injured civilians, were also arrested by the operatives.
Police identified the four as Raymund Melocoton, 29; Chris Jun Taquiso, 31; Romy Taquiso, 35; and Lusino Demol Sr., 50, who were treated at Mother of Mercy Hospital in Kabankalan City.
The six others arrested were Jose Sambilad, 41; Nomeriano Tiñosa, 39; Mark de la Cruz, 33; Ricardo Melecoton, 18; Gener Uldaim, 25; and Joseph Taguan, 39.
The operatives recovered a cache of firearms and ammunition, including three shotguns, one .38 caliber revolver; one .45 caliber pistol; two handgrenades; 18 pieces of live ammunition of 12-gauge shotgun; 19 pieces of live ammunition of caliber .38; five pieces of live ammunition of caliber .45; six pieces of live ammunitions of caliber .22; two pieces of empty cartridge of 12-gauge shotgun; 14 units of various brands of cellular phones; a pair of binoculars; and a black belt bag.
Meanwhile, the CIDG also had an arrest warrant for Rodante Lontoc, a national most wanted person, but still at-large. (PNA)
