• THERESA MAE DULMAN
A 43-year-old laborer was shot dead Aug. 30, after he allegedly opened fire at police officers executing a search warrant in Sitio Tuko, Barangay Inolingan, Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental.
Police identified the deceased as Reynan Emolaga, a resident of the area.
Moises Padilla Municipal Police Station chief, Major Ryan Villasario, said that operating personnel, together with intelligence operatives, arrived at the suspect’s residence at around 4:30 a.m. to serve a search warrant for alleged violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, issued Aug. 20 by the Regional Trial Court Branch 63 in La Carlota City.
Police claimed that Emolaga, sensing the arrival of the operating team, fled towards the mountainous area and fired several shots at the policemen, who returned fire in self-defense and hit the suspect.
Responding personnel of the Moises Padilla Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office arrived at the scene shortly after the shootout and pronounced Emolaga dead from gunshot wounds.
Initial recovery at the scene included a 12-gauge shotgun with one live round and a .45 caliber Colt pistol, the police said. | TMD
