UPDATEand PNP SWAT member, 4 others hurt in Kidapawan shooting

KIDAPAWAN CITY - A member of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) of the Kidapawan City PNP was seriously wounded when an alleged drug surrenderee shot him just as he was trying to respond to a shooting incident that transpired along the boundary of Datu Ingkal Street and Quezon Boulevard in Kidapawan City, around 10:15 p.m., Saturday.Superintendent Ramel Hojilla, Kidapawan City police director, identified the wounded SWAT member as Police Officer 3 Eric John Dado Yamuta.Hojilla, citing initial probe, said that before Yamuta's shooting, a certain Alvin Taran who is a chainsaw operator was shot by a gunman identified as Sugar Ray Dimaano.Dimaano, police records showed, is a drug surrenderee and a resident of Barangay Sudapin, Kidapawan City.Hojilla said that Yamuta, who was driving his motorycle at that time, happened to be in the area when the shooting of Taran took place.Witnesses said Yamuta fired his 9mm pistol and hit Dimaano, a certain David Adolfo, and dela Cruz. Yamuta, however, ran out of bullets and was shot by one of the suspect's buddy.Yamuta was hit on his head and was rushed to the Kidapawan Doctors Hospital, Inc (KDCI).Around 2 a.m., Sunday, he was transferred to a hospital in Davao City for further treatment. He is still in critical condition as of posting.Meantime, Dimaano and Adolfo were rushed to the Kidapawan Medical Specialist Center DelaCruz at the Madonna General Hospital while Taran -- who was the main target, was brought to KDCI. Hojilla said Taran is still fighting for his life.Investigators have yet to find out why Dimaano has planned to silence Taran. Also, they're trying to determinE Dimaano's alleged links with illegal drug trade with the shooting of Taran. [Malu Cadelina Manar]