A police officer and a civilian were killed while another policeman was wounded in a shooting at a resort parking lot in Maragondon, Cavite, shortly after midnight Wednesday.

The Cavite Police Provincial Office identified the slain police officer only as alias PMSg Jun, assigned to the Magallanes Municipal Police Station, and the civilian as alias Jay. The wounded policeman was identified as alias PCpl Louie.

Police arrested Cpl. Rolando Periodico Jr., 35, of the Trece Martires City Police Station, as the suspect.

Initial investigation showed the group was about to leave the resort when a heated argument erupted in the parking area and escalated into the shooting.

Personnel from the Maragondon Municipal Police Station responded to the scene and took Periodico into custody.

Investigators recovered two 9mm pistols, including a Glock 17 issued to the suspect and a Pietro Beretta issued to one of the other police personnel involved.

The firearms were turned over to investigators for documentation and evidence handling, while the Cavite Provincial Forensic Unit was called to process the crime scene.

As an immediate administrative measure, the Maragondon police chief was relieved of his post and placed under the Cavite Personnel Holding and Accounting Section pending investigation.

Cavite police director Col. Ariel Red said authorities were treating the incident seriously, particularly because police personnel were involved.

“This is a serious incident, especially with police personnel involved. I personally went to the area as soon as I was informed to make sure that all actions were being taken properly. We will follow the process, preserve the evidence, and let the investigation establish the facts. No one is above the law, including members of the PNP,” Red said.

Police said further information would be released once verified without compromising the investigation.