A 30-year-old Argao resident was killed in a shootout with police officers in Barangay Madilikit, Argao town in southern Cebu on Tuesday.
Dennis Pia Artiaga died after he suffered gunshot wounds in the body when he shot it out with police officers of Regional Mobile Force Batallion in Central Visayas (RFMB-7) on Tuesday morning, said Chief Insp. Rovic Villarin, Argao Police Station chief, in a phone interview.
Villarin said that a police team were on their way to serve a warrant of arrest to Artiaga when the suspect allegedly fired at the police officers approaching his house.
Villarin said that Artiaga had a pending frustrated murder case involving the shooting of a minor which is pending at Branch 26 of the Municipal Circuit Trial Court in Argao town.
Supt. Hector Grijaldo, RMFB-7 commander, said in a text message that he warned the police team to be extra careful and to take precautionary measures since he received reports that the suspect allegedly vowed not to be caught alive by authorities.
Grijaldo said that when the police team arrived at the house, they suddenly heard a burst of gunfire prompting the police officers to take cover and fire back.
Artiaga was killed in the ensuing shootout.
Grijaldo said that a pistol was found beside his body.