Cop, suspected gang leader killed in Isabela shootout

A police officer and a suspected leader of a criminal syndicate were killed following a clash in the northern Philippine province of Isabela early Friday morning, the spokesman for the National Police said. In a text message to reporters, Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the encounter between police forces and the group headed by a certain Erong occurred at 6:38 a.m. in Guibang villange in Gamu town. Those killed in the clash were Erong and SP02 Rovielle Laggui, who was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians of the Isabela Doctors General Hospital. Erong's five companions were reportedly arrested by the security forces. Authorities describe Erong as the principal suspect in the killing of Inspector Jelowie Antonio and P03 Jaime Manaligod in June last year. The slain suspect was reportedly the leader of a private armed group being maintained by a local official in Isabela. Cruz did not identify the local official. — with Joel Nueva/RSJ, GMANews.TV