PCpl Alfred Dawatan Sabas shot and killed a passenger on a bus in North Cotabato before engaging two police officers in a shootout at a checkpoint. The suspect was apprehended by authorities after a hot pursuit operation.
A police officer was charged with murder and two counts of frustrated murder after fatally shooting a passenger on a bus while traveling in Barangay Batasan, Makilala, North Cotabato , at 2:30 in the morning on December 28, 2024, and then engaging two other police officers at a checkpoint.
According to the police report, the suspect, PCpl Alfred Dawatan Sabas, who was stationed in General Santos City, was riding the Mindanao Star bus from GenSan with his wife, was reported to be drunk and shot the victim, Reynaldo (last name withheld), a security guard from Batasan, Makilala, in the head. After the shooting incident, the suspect reportedly ordered the bus to continue its journey and arrived at the checkpoint at the 1104th RMFB 11 border control point in New Opon, Magsaysay, Davao del Sur. According to police, a van was following them. Due to this, the duty police officer ordered his men to watch the said van. But suddenly, the suspect shot two police officers who were hit in different parts of their bodies. The injured police officers were taken to the hospital, identified as PCpl Kenth Maurith Ramos and Pat. Russel Love Tapia. The suspect fled in an unclear direction with his wife. Due to this, the Magsaysay Municipal Police Station, along with personnel from the 1104th RMFB 11 and 1203rd RMFB12, launched a hot pursuit operation and successfully apprehended the suspect, along with his partner, in New Opon. A caliber 9mm Canik with three magazines containing 37 live bullets and other paraphernalia were recovered from him. Meanwhile, officials from Region XI and Region XII arrived to assist in the investigation due to the crimes taking place in two separate regions and jurisdictions
Murder Police Shooting Checkpoint Davao Del Sur North Cotabato