Cop, murder suspect killed in shootout

LAGUNA, Philippines – A police officer and a murder suspect were killed while three others were wounded in a shootout in Calamba City Sunday night.

Police Officer 2 Alvin Asignado died while undergoing treatment at the Calamba Medical Center while Ruel Regalario, alias Bro, was killed at the scene, said Superintendent Fernando Ortega, city police chief.

Police said Regalario had a standing arrest warrant for robbery and murder.

The wounded – Police Officers 1 Jake Villanueva and Billy Corook, both of the Calamba City police – were rushed to the same hospital for treatment.

Ortega said the police officers were responding to a report of indiscriminate firing in Barangay Parian at around 9 p.m. when the suspects reportedly fired at them.

The officers retaliated triggering a firefight that lasted for 15 minutes and resulted in Asignado’s  and Regalario’s deaths.

Civilian Nestor Virrey Diamante, 28, who was a victim of indiscriminate firing, is recuperating in another hospital.

Ortega said another suspect, Teejane Fernando Reginio, 32, of Barangay Real, was arrested by responding police officers.

Police are hunting down tricycle driver and alleged drug den operator Popoy Salvatiera, who escaped after the incident.