COTABATO CITY, Philippines โ A man accused of harboring a wanted suspect was shot dead in a brief encounter with law enforcers in Barangay Meti, a coastal village in Datu Blah Sinsuat town, Maguindanao del Norte, on Friday, April 18.
Police said the slain suspect, Norsaidie Samo Tato, opened fire on authorities who were serving an arrest warrant against his companion, Tingao Tato Titinago. The attempted arrest quickly turned into a gunfight.
Tato was killed in the exchange of fire, while Titinago managed to escape.
The operation was carried out by agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Cotabato Field Office, supported by members of the local police and the Philippine Navyโs 5th Marine Battalion under the 1st Marine Brigade.
Wanted for Atempted Murder
Police Brigadier General Romeo Juan Macapaz, director of the Police Regional OfficeโBangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), confirmed the incident. He thanked the Marines for their assistance.
Titinago is wanted for attempted murder, with a case pending before Regional Trial Court Branch 19 in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. A bail of P200,000 has been recommended by Judge Allan Bongcavil.
Authorities said Titinago is also suspected of protecting drug peddlers and small-time criminals, and of possessing unlicensed firearms.
‘Terrorist’
In a statement released Sunday, April 20, the Division Public Affairs Office of the Armyโs 6th Infantry Division described Tato and Titinago as having links to groups inciting violence against non-Muslim communities. The military tagged them as โterrorists.โ
After the shootout, authorities seized firearms and unregistered two-way radios from the hideout allegedly used by the duo.
Meanwhile, the hunt for Titinago continues.
