Cop and suspect hurt in shootout

CEBU, Philippines - A policemen and a wanted man were hurt during a shootout in Sitio Puertobello, Barangay Southern Poblacion, San Francisco, Camotes, around 8 a.m. yesterday.

 Inspector Benigno Niemez, the team leader of the policemen, sustained a gunshot wound in the left leg after he was shot by the suspect, Ernest Seedney Keeler, 26, a native of Barangay Sto. Niño, Kamanga, Leyte.

 But Niemez was able to return fire hitting Keeler in the right side of his neck with the bullet exiting from the left side.

 Both men were taken to the Ricardo M. Maningo Memorial Hospital for treatment.

 Earlier, a team of policemen from the Regional Public Safety Battalion in Region 8 or Eastern Visayas went to the said barangay to arrest Keeler who has a pending arrest warrant for robbery with homicide.

 The warrant was signed by Judge Apolinario Buaya of the Regional Trial Court Branch 35 in Ormoc City.

 San Francisco investigator PO2 Ronjy Cidro told The FREEMAN that the operatives coordinated with them around 3 a.m. before they went to arrest Keeler.

 Cidro said as the team was approaching the hideout of Keeler the wanted man went outside of the house and fired at the operatives, hitting Niemez.

 Niemez returned fire and hit Keeler, who then put his hands in the air to surrender.

 The operatives recovered two .45 cal. pistols from the suspect and an Ingram machine pistol in his hideout.

 The operatives from Region 8 and their prisoner are scheduled to leave for Ormoc today.  (FREEMAN)