Highway patrol officer shot by motorist in Cotabato province (original) (raw)

COTABATO CITY, BARMM, Philippines — A member of the police Highway Patrol Group in Cotabato province was hurt when a motorcycle rider he flagged down for inspection shot him on Tuesday night in Matalam town.

The victim was identified as Police Senior Master Sgt. (PSMS) Noel M. Demate, a resident of Pigcawayan and currently assigned to the Cotabato Provincial Highway Patrol Team.

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Major James Baugbog, Highway Patrol Team leader, said his team was conducting a law enforcement operation at 6:50 p.m. against carjacked vehicles near the Matalam town roundabout when the suspect, on board a Bajaj motorbike, arrived and shot him in the face.

READ: BARMM councilor survives gun attack in Cotabato town

Demate was hit in his lower jaw but is now out of danger.

After the shooting, the suspect quickly fled toward the direction of Kabacan, the town next to Matalam, also in Cotabato province.

READ: Cops identify ‘person of interest’ in killing of Cotabato SK chair

The victim was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment, while police launched a manhunt operation in neighboring towns to intercept the fleeing suspect.

Authorities are still unclear about the motive behind the shooting, but they are considering the possibility that it may be connected to the HPG’s intensified campaign against illegal road activities and carjacking in the province. /cb

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