DAVAO CITY — A police officer was wounded while six armed suspects were arrested after law enforcers clashed with gunmen during a search warrant operation in Purok 3, Salooban, Bunawan District on Monday night, December 29.
The operation was personally led by Davao City Police Director PCol Mannan Muarip, together with operatives from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), 13th Special Action Company, 15th SAC, and the SWAT team of DCPO, implementing a search warrant against a certain alias “Rey-Rey,” 40, reportedly for violations of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
According to police reports, the suspects opened fire at the approaching police units, triggering a brief gunfight that left Patrolman Geordy Fiel of the 13th SAC wounded after being hit in the left leg.
In a desperate attempt to repel the assault team, the primary suspect, alias “Rey-Rey,” allegedly hurled a fragmentation grenade toward the officers — which fortunately failed to detonate, preventing what could have been more casualties.
Two suspects, including Rey-Rey and another identified as alias “Diosdado,” 40, were immediately subdued inside the residence. Four others attempted to flee but were intercepted and arrested by the SWAT team securing the perimeter. They were identified as:
• alias “Reynante,” 50
• alias “Marknel,” 28
• alias “Philip,” 24
• alias “Jay-Ar,” 34
All are residents of Bunawan.
Confiscated from the suspects were multiple firearms and ammunition, including:
• A caliber .22 firearm without a serial number
• A 12-gauge Armscor Model 30 shotgun
• A 9mm UZI sub-machine pistol with a loaded magazine
• A .357 revolver without a serial number
Due to the recovered grenade, EOD personnel led by PSMS Asil Indacagan conducted a precautionary blast-in-place procedure after residents within a 200-meter radius were evacuated for safety.
Authorities said the suspects will be facing several charges including Violation of RA 10591, RA 9516 (Illegal Possession of Explosives), Frustrated Murder, and Attempted Murder.
The search warrant was issued by Judge Rowena M. Apao-Adlawan, Executive Judge of the 11th Judicial Region, Davao City.
PCol Muarip praised the responding units for their swift action, stressing that DCPO remains committed to its strong crackdown against illegal firearms and criminal elements in the city to ensure the safety of Dabawenyos.
“Ang DCPO ay tuloy-tuloy sa pagpapatupad ng batas at tiyaking ang mga may armas na ilegal at gumagawa ng krimen ay mananagot,” Muarip said.