MANILA, Dec. 22 -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday vowed to hunt down the members of a gun-for-hire syndicate tagged in the killing of a police officer and wounding of two others during a skirmish in Candelaria, Quezon.

Pat. Ron Jay Chavez of the First Quezon Provincial Mobile Force Company (First QPMFC) was killed, while his teammates, M/Sgt. Sonny Caringal and Pat. Kim Kenneth Averia were wounded, when an armed group opened fire on their routine mobile patrol in Sitio Pulyok, Barangay San Isidro on Dec. 19.

"This incident reminds us of the risks our police officers face every day in the performance of their duty. We mourn the loss of Patrolman Chavez, whose service and bravery will not be forgotten, and we assure his fa...