Photo courtesy of the Glan Police Station

SARANGANI – Three people were killed, including a policeman who was trying to serve a warrant of arrest against a suspect on Thursday night in Sarangani.

SPO1 Rodolfo Turtal died on the spot in Purok Krisbla, Barangay Congan in Glan.

Turtal went to the area with PO3 Seigfred Sarcon to serve an arrest warrant for frustrated murder against Ariel Array.

When they spotted the suspect, the two police officers introduced themselves as cops and handcuffed him.

However, Array resisted and shouted for help. One of his relatives who came to his rescue, Gregorio Array, shot Turtal in the abdomen.

They fired back killing Deo Array.

Sarcon also fired at and killed Cariño Lipay after more relatives armed with knives and bolos attacked Turtal.

Sarcon then ran to the Barangay Captain’s residence for safety. But before reinforcement arrived, the target suspect and nine others identified as Gregorio Array, Toting Palawan, Alvin Sagli, Ronnie Sagli, Kalolo Array, Anjing Singcala, Dawi Bansalao, Calmamat Array and Benjie Montecioso, already escaped.

Police have arrested another suspect, 19-year old Rustom Array, but he denied his involvement in the attack.

The Provincial Headquarter of Sarangani Police is at half-mast.

According to the provincial director, Police Senior Superintendent Joseph Semillano, Turtal was a diligent warrant officer. He served at least 40 warrants of arrest in the province in just six months.

The victim’s wife refused to give a statement, but according to his sister, Carmen Albor, her brother was a licensed teacher who chose to serve as a cop. He was a police officer for 11 years.

“Nakita ko siya, kawawa masyado. Hindi man lang sila naawa,” she said.