2 NAKTF agents, cop killed in Lipa videoke shootout

Two agents of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF) and a police officer were killed early yesterday morning after they shot it out in a videoke in Lipa City, Batangas.

One man was hit in the leg by a stray bullet.

Senior Superintendent David Quimio, Lipa City police chief, said investigator SPO1 Noel Mendoza shot it out with Army Sgt. Romeo Loresca and Andy Malabanan, both NAKTF agents, after an argument.

Loresca accidentally bumped into Mendoza while leaving the Gimikkero Bar in Barangay Balintawak in Lipa at around 1 a.m., resulting in an altercation, police said.

Mendoza shot Loresca and Malabanan in the chest when they tried to grab his 9-mm. pistol tucked at his waist.

Loresca and Malabanan fired back with caliber .45 pistols and hit Mendoza. All three were killed in the shootout.

A customer, Arnold Padera, 33, who was seated near the three, was also hit by a stray bullet in the left leg. He was taken to Lipa Medix Hospital.

Another NAKTF agent, Air Force Sgt. Romeo Bautista III, was arrested by police officers responding to the scene. He denied any involvement and is currently being detained at the Lipa police station for further questioning. — With Arnell Ozaeta