Police Firefight in Argao Leaves One Suspect Injured
An armed confrontation between police officers and a group of armed individuals resulted in one injury and two arrests in Barangay Taloot, Argao on Wednesday afternoon, November 12, 2025. The incident occurred at approximately 5:17 PM following a tip from local barangay officials about suspicious armed activity in the area.
Rapid Police Response Leads to Confrontation
The Argao Municipal Police Station received a crucial call at 4:49 PM from Barangay Taloot Captain Virgilio Rizon, who reported that a group led by John Michael Rodriguez was armed with weapons of undetermined caliber. According to the report, one member of the group appeared to be seeking refuge, prompting immediate police mobilization to the location.
Upon arriving at the scene, the responding officers were unexpectedly fired upon by the suspects. The armed group initiated gunfire directed at the police team, forcing law enforcement to return fire in what became a brief but intense exchange.
Aftermath and Evidence Recovery
During the encounter, 18-year-old Clyd Alipunga from Barangay Bagacay, Sibonga sustained injuries from gunfire. His companions, 22-year-old John Michael Rodriguez from Taloot, Argao and a 17-year-old identified only as "Rowel" were successfully apprehended by authorities.
Emergency medical services quickly transported the wounded Alipunga to Isidro Kintanar Memorial Hospital for initial treatment. Due to the severity of his condition, he was later transferred to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center for advanced care.
The Scene of the Crime Operation (SOCO) team conducted a thorough processing of the area and made significant discoveries. Among the evidence collected were:
- 9 packages of suspected shabu
- One revolver without serial number
- Five live ammunition rounds
- One .45 pistol with three bullets
- One .22 black widow magnum with three bullets
- Various other pieces of evidence
The arrested suspects are currently detained at the Argao Municipal temporary custodial facility while the recovered evidence has been forwarded to the PNP Regional Forensic Unit for comprehensive examination. The operation demonstrates the ongoing efforts of local law enforcement to combat illegal drugs and weapons in Central Visayas communities.
