Cop shot, wounded by two masked men

BACONG, NEGROS ORIENTAL, Philippines — A police officer, riding a motorcycle on his way home to Barangay Liptong of this town, was shot and wounded by two unidentified men, also on a motorcycle.

The assailants, who were wearing bonnets to cover their faces, overtook and shot Insp. Reynaldo Costas, a member of the Philippine National Police's Internal Affairs Service.

Costas suffered three gunshot wounds in his chest, stomach and near his groin. He was still able to fire back at his attackers but failed to stop them from escaping.

He was immediately rushed to the Holy Child Hospital in Dumaguete City where he underwent surgery.

According to Sr. Insp. Leopoldo Ijan, chief of the Bacong Police Station, the injured policeman is now out of danger, and could even talk already by saying he did not recognize the assailants.

The police recovered slugs and spent shells of a 9-millimeter handgun from the crime scene.

Investigators are now eyeing different angles for the possible motive of the slay attempt on Costas, including sensitive administrative complaints against fellow police officers in Siquijor and Negros Oriental that he has been handling. (FREEMAN)