search warrant

• Search warrant enforcement leads to gunfight; 6 arrested

A POLICE officer was wounded while six suspects were apprehended following an armed confrontation during a search warrant implementation in Bunawan, Davao City, on Monday night, Dec. 29.

Col Mannan C. Muarip, acting Davao City Police Office chief, led the operation alongside Maj Janus Lumbaya B. Macli-ing, station commander of PS-6 Bunawan, 13th and 15th companies of the Special Action Force, and the DCPO-SWAT.

The operatives were serving Search Warrant No. 2592 for violations of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act), issued by Judge Rowena M. Apao-Adlawan, against alias Rey-Rey, a 40-year-old resident of Purok 3, Salooban, Bunawan.

The situation escalated when the suspect reportedly fired at the arresting officers. During the exchange of gunfire, Pat. Geordy Fiel of the 13th SAC sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg.

Authorities reported that Rey-Rey also attempted to throw a PRB-423 fragmentation grenade at the assaulting team, but the device failed to explode. 

Following the encounter, Muarip ordered the evacuation of residents within a 200-meter radius for safety. 

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team cleared the area and recovered the grenade before allowing the residents to return.

Aside from the primary subject, police also arrested alias Diosdado at the scene. Four other cohorts attempted to flee but were intercepted by the SWAT perimeter team.

The apprehended suspects were identified as alias Reynante, 50; Marknel,  28; Philip, 24; and  Jay-Ar, 34.

Operatives seized one caliber .22 firearm (no serial number), one Armscor Model 30 12-gauge shotgun, a 9mm UZI with a magazine containing three live rounds, and a .357 revolver (no serial number).

Meanwhile, police are preparing charges for violation of RA 10591, frustrated murder, and attempted murder through inquest proceedings at the City Prosecutor’s Office.