Suspected motorcycle thief dies in shootout with lawmen

KIDAPAWAN CITY - Authorities in North Cotabato killed a suspected motorcycle thief after a brief exchange of fires in a village in Pikit town Monday, police said Tuesday.Supt. Jordine Maribojo, commander of Task Force Pikit, identified the suspect as Kutina Kawil, 20, of Barangay Bulol, Pikit. Maribojo said the suspect, on board a red Kawasaki motorcycle without license plate, was flagged down by operatives of TF Pikit and Pikit PNP along the highway in Barangay Poblacion at past 4 p.m. The suspect, instead of submitting himself for inspection, sped towards Barangay Gli-Gli, which prompted authorities to pursue him. Maribojo said the suspect, while evading arrest, fired shots towards the police, Army, and TF Pikit operatives that chase him.This, according to Maribojo, provoked his men to fire back.The suspect died instantly after he was hit on his back, the police officer said. Recovered from the crime scene were four pieces spent shells for caliber .45 pistol, which, according to Maribojo, belonged to the suspect. They also found hidden inside U-box of Kawil’s motorcycle were two sachets of shabu, suspected dried marijuana leaves wrapped in a paper, and three pieces of improvised lighters. Maribojo said the motorcycle has no documents to prove ownership of the motorbikewhich led them to suspect it was a stolen vehicle. The body of Kawil was claimed on Tuesday by relatives, the police officer said.