Cop, soldier, 2 civilians injured in shootout

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna — A policeman and a soldier, including two civilians were critically wounded in a shootout between police and military operatives following a heated argument inside the Guinayangan cockpit in Barangay Calimpak, Quezon, Sunday afternoon.

Senior Supt. Benjamin Belarmiño, Regional Operation and Planning Division chief, identified the victims as PO3 Leonilo Buenaobra, assigned at the 416th Provincial Police Mobile Group and his son Leovil, 19, student, Romeo Umali, 29, tricycle driver and Staff Sergeant Henry Rabin, Philippine Army, assigned at the 74th Infantry Battalion.

Buenaobra sustained a gunshot wound in the abdomen and Leovil was hit in the left shoulder, while Umali sustained a gunshot wound in the right arm and Rabin was hit in the face. All the victims were brought to the San Diego Hospital in Gumaca, Quezon.

Police recovered at the crime scene four empty shells of caliber .38 and three empty shells of caliber .45.

Belarmiño said that prior to the shootout, Buenaobra together with two policemen identified as SPO1 Bebiano Hernandez and SPO1 Manolo Hernando, both assigned at the Guinayangan Police Station were eating in a mini-canteen inside the cockpit arena when they met Sergeant Rabin.

Shortly, Buenaobra and Rabin had a heated argument. While Hernandez and Hernando tried to pacify the two, both drew their guns and an exchange of gunfire ensued. The two were hit during their exchange of fire, including Buenaobra’s son and Umali.

Hernando and Hernandez are now in the custody of the Guinayangan police for further investigation. — Ed Amoroso