2 jail guards, 2 others die in Muntinlupa shooting

Two jail guards and two other persons were confirmed dead after a shooting encounter occurred between unidentified men and officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City Thursday morning.

UPDATE: 3 tao, kumpirmadong patay sa engkwentro sa Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City kanina. | via @dzbbsamnielsen pic.twitter.com/KNW1x0U6H0

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 18, 2018

UPDATE: Bilang ng mga namatay sa engkwentro sa Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City, umakyat na sa 4, ayon sa Muntinlupa City Police. | via @dzbbsamnielsen

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 18, 2018

Muntinlupa City Jail Warden Chief Inspector Patrick Rubio identified the victims as Jail Officer 1 Felino Salazar and Jail Officer 2 Elmer Malindao, according to a report by Sam Nielsen on Dobol B sa News TV.

The two were brought to the Medical Center Muntinlupa where they were pronounced dead at 8:59 a.m.

Meanwhile, authorities have yet to confirm the identities of the two other persons killed in the incident.

Initial reports revealed the two jail guards were riding a motorcycle on their way home when they were targeted by about two to three men riding in tandem on a motorcycle.

The Muntinlupa City Police then conducted a dragnet operation after being alerted of the armed encounter, leading to the arrest of a person.

Officers are still investigating the motive of the killing, and they have yet to gather clear CCTV footage of the incident along the National Road.

According to Rubio, Salazar previously worked at the Metro Manila District Jail in Taguig City.

Rubio said he is not dismissing the possibility that the officers may have received death threats.

The BJMP, for its part, said it is now reaching out to the families of their members to extend assistance as it expressed condolences.

"Nakikiramay po ang buong ahensiya sa pamilya ng dalawa sa aming kasamahan na nasawi ngayong umaga sa Lungsod ng Muntinlupa," BJMP spokesperson Senior Inspector Xavier Solda said in a press statement. "Nakikipag-ugnayan na po kami sa kanilang mga pamilya upang kagyat na makapaghatid ng kinakailangan tulong."

He expressed hope that the investigation will be finished as soon as possible to deliver justice to the victims.

"Kasalukuyan na rin pong umuusad ang imbestigasyon ng pulisya ng Muntinlupa City at nawa ay matapos nila ito sa mas lalong madaling panahon upang mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng dalawa naming kasamahan. —Jamil Santos and Amita Legaspi/KG/KBK, GMA News