Sheriff killed in shootout with cop

BATANGAS, Philippines   â€“ A court sheriff was killed in an alleged shootout with a policeman in the town of Mataas Na Kahoy in this province Saturday night, police reported yesterday.

Police Officer 2 Rhayan Fernando Polintang III of the Talisay police station, surrendered to the town police after reportedly killing Romeo Benedicto of the metropolitan court branch in Lipa City, said Senior Inspector Alfred Lorin Jr., chief of the municipal police.

Reports said Benedicto and Polintang were having drinks at a birthday party in Barangay Santol when the incident occurred at around 7:30 p.m.

Witnesses said Benedicto and Polintang’s brother Randy figured in an argument before the shooting. When Benedicto and the Polintang brothers were about to leave, Benedicto allegedly shot Randy but missed, prompting the police officer to shoot him.

Investigators recovered two caliber .45 pistols and ammunition at the crime scene.

Benedicto died while being treated at the Mary Mediatrix Hospital in Lipa City.