The officers were met with a hail of bullets as they sought to serve arrest warrants on members of the "Tolentino gang" hiding at a house in Barangay Puting-Lupa at about 6 a.m., said Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang Jr., Calabarzon police director.
SPO4 Rodalin Bundalian, assigned with the regional intelligence and investigation division, died on the spot with a bullet wound in the head. Wounded were PO3 Nemer Tapae, PO1 Joey Canson, SPO4 Rodelo Larega and PO2 Jesus Ranada.
Five members of the Tolentino gang escaped after the 30-minute firefight. Two of them were identified as Horacio and Henry Tolentino, who both face arrest warrants for kidnapping, car theft and robbery-holdup.
The gang is believed also involved in illegal drugs. — Ed Amoroso, AFP