2 murder suspects killed in shootout in Cotabato City

The Cotabato City Police Station 4 Office. (Photo courtesy of DXMY-Cotabato)

COTABATO CITY – Two wanted persons who resisted arrest by shooting and tossing two hand grenades at lawmen were killed by police here Friday, February 5.

Maj. Elexon Bona, city police station 4 chief, identified the slain wanted men as Ustads Yahya Muntong and Parhan Bacol, both Arabic scholars and residents of Brgy. Kalanganan Mother.

Bona said policemen, backed by soldiers, were armed with arrest warrants against the suspects for murder charges when they entered Sagingan village at 11 a.m.

As soon as the police were knocking on the house of Muntong, he opened fire, hitting one of the police officers.

“The policeman was unharmed because he was wearing a bulletproof vest,” Bona said.

He said Bacol tossed a hand grenade that exploded just outside their home.

“Another grenade Bacol lobbed did not explode,” Bona added.

A shootout then erupted, killing both suspects on the spot.

The two were charged with the murder of a distant relative over a misunderstanding.

“I appeal to lawbreakers to please avoid resisting arrest. They can prove their innocence before the courts than reacting violently to law enforcement operations,” Bona said. (PNA)