2 dead in General Santos gun rampage

COTABATO CITY , Philippines —   A man who fired a pistol indiscriminately was killed in a gunfight with responding policemen on Saturday in Barangay Labangal in General Santos City – an incident that killed a 12-year-old girl who was caught in the crossfire.

General Santos City Police investigators said 43-year-old Ryan Sangbaan created trouble in Purok Pandian by firing a .45-caliber pistol, causing panic among villagers.

When police arrived in the area, Sangbaan fired his weapon at them, triggering a gunfight that resulted in his death.

Probers said Sangbaan shot the girl, hitting her in the upper torso.

Meanwhile, a fruit delivery cab driver died from gunshot and grenade shrapnel wounds after an attack in Barangay Takepan in Pikit, Cotabato on Saturday.

Police said Nano Salimenang was declared dead on arrival at a hospital.

Initial investigation showed that two men on a motorcycle trailed the 60-year-old Salimenang and shot him at close range.

Despite the gunshot wounds, Salimenang got out of the cab and tried to flee.

However, one of the assailants allegedly lobbed a grenade at Salimenang.