6-year-old killed in ambush

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines - A policeman and his wife survived Sunday night an ambush in Midsayap town with minor injuries, but their 6-year-old son was not as lucky.

PO3 Manuel Pintoy, his wife, Jennifer, and their son, Jonas, were riding a motorcycle together on their way to a relative’s house in a secluded barangay in Midsayap when gunmen flagged them down and opened fire with handguns.

Armed with his service pistol, Pintoy, who was immediately wounded in the attack, managed to return fire, forcing their ambushers to run away, leaving their getaway motorcycle.

Pintoy’s son was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital at the town proper, where they were evacuated by responding barangay officials for medication.

Pintoy and his pregnant wife are still recuperating at the same hospital, said Supt. Reinante Delos Santos, municipal police chief.

Delos Santos said Pintoy was twice hit in the abdomen.

“We are now investigating on who owns the motorcycle the gunmen left in the scene. It is a good lead to start with,” Delos Santos said.