A MANHUNT for one of the region’s most wanted individuals turned into a bloody confrontation Saturday afternoon, leaving a police officer wounded and the suspect in custody following a shootout in Barangay Sibulan, Toril District.
The suspect, identified by police only as alias Keir, 34, was ranked as the ninth most wanted person at the regional level and was a primary target under “Coplan Abdul.”
At approximately 3:40 p.m. on Feb. 14, the joint task force, led by Major Fil Anthony D. Manlatican, alongside units from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Regional Intelligence Division, served the warrant of arrest at the suspect’s residence in Purok 3.
The warrant, issued by Judge Cherry Lynn M. Trinidad-Geocaniga of RTC Branch 9, was for violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
According to the initial investigation, as Cpl Elton John Mamac and PCpl Jonathan Mangano approached to effect the arrest, Keir allegedly drew a handgun and opened fire on the officers.
Mamac sustained a gunshot wound to the rib area during the initial volley. In response, Mangano returned fire and wounded Keir before the suspect attempted to flee.
The pursuit ended shortly after when the suspect was stopped at the CAA detachment in Barangay Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.
Authorities recovered a .45 caliber STI pistol (Serial No. 914421) loaded with six live rounds at the scene.
Mamac was rushed to the Southern Philippines Medical Center by barangay responders. Meanwhile, the suspect was transported to the Davao del Sur Provincial Hospital in Digos City, where he remains under heavy guard by personnel from the Toril Police Station and RMFB XI.
DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Caballero confirmed that the warrant was officially served to the suspect while at the hospital.
