Police claim narrow escape in Otoxha

One of five men shot by police Friday in Toledo is recovering from his wounds at the K.H.M.H. Eugenio Cuk was reported in serious but stable condition while two others, Santiago and Sebastian Putul, were treated at the Punta Gorda hospital. Cyriano Chuc and Alfredo Chen were declared dead on arrival in P.G. on Friday. The bloodshed resulted when police attempted to gather evidence of illegal logging near the remote village of Otoxha. Corporal Eaton Williams and Constable John Mas claim they were attacked by a large group of angry loggers. Mas, while retreating from the crowd, stumbled backwards and when several men began to chop him he opened fire with his S.L.R. military rifle. Williams was also attacked and lost three of his fingers to a machete, after which his S.L.R. was stolen by one of his assailants. The police and two forest officers fled across the Temash River to a nearby village where they managed to arrange for a horse to make the four hour trip to Punta Gorda. No arrests have yet been made, while police mount a full investigation.