2 guards dead, 5 hurt in shootout over land dispute

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Two security guards were killed while five others, including a soldier and an Army reservist, were injured in a supposed shootout over a land dispute in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Monday, police said.

Superintendent Thomas Joseph Martir, Talisay police chief, identified the slain security guards as Francis Lumangyao and Federico Mandate, and two of those wounded as Cpl. Rene Escalona and Army reservist Lolito Onate.

Martir said they detained two Army reservists pending an investigation into the shootout between the security guards and Army reservists in Hacienda Handumanan in Barangay Concepcion, Talisay City.

An M-16 assault rifle, three 12-gauge shotguns, a homemade shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle and spent shells of various firearms were found at the scene.