5 motorcycle thieves slain in North Cotabato

PIKIT, North Cotabato, Philippines — Five suspected motorcycle thieves were killed while three policemen and a civilian were wounded in a shootout in Barangay Gokotan in this town yesterday.

Badrudin Dalid, Arbaya Panizares, Asraf Masulot, Bunta Kabantu and an unidentified man died from multiple gunshot wounds.

A companion of the slain suspects, Muhidin Dalaganon Mantok, surrendered to the raiding team.

The suspects reportedly opened fire at a joint police-Army team dispatched to validate the reported presence of stolen motorcycles in the area.

A total of 442 motorcycles were recovered at the scene.

Brig. Gen. Alexander Tagum, Soccsksargen police director, directed the North Cotabato police to request the help of the Land Transportation Office in inspecting the recovered motorcycles.