Police killed three armed men in a brief gunbattle in Barangay San Pablo, Sto. Tomas, Batangas Saturday.
Police Brig. Gen. Edward Carranza, Philippine National Police Region 4-A (Calabarzon or the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area) director, said they received information from residents that three suspicious-looking men entered a house in their community, prompting them to conduct a surveillance operation.
“For three to four days, they were subjected to surveillance,” said Carranza.
Police carried out an operation after a police intelligence operative saw the three men armed.
Police Col. Edwin Quilates, director of the Batangas Provincial Police Office, said that the three armed men locked themselves inside the house in after seeing the cops surrounding them.
Negotiations for their surrender started at around 5 p.m. and lasted for almost seven hours.
“Negotiations for several hours was made by for them to peacefully surrender, the assistance of Imam was also requested but no to avail,” said Quilates.
At around 11:30 p.m., the gunmen were heard shouting “Allahu Akbar” anew and started shooting the policemen. “Hindi kami susuko, lalaban kami Allahu Akbar!”
Police returned fire, killing the gunmen. Two policemen were shot but were saved by their bulletproof vests.
Seized from the suspects were three .45 caliber pistols.
Investigation is being conducted to determine the identities and possible group affiliation of the gunmen as well as to know why they are in Sto. Tomas. (Aaron Recuenco)