Zamboanga del Sur information officer shot dead by drinking buddy

A 40-year-old public information officer (PIO) of the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government was shot dead during a drinking session at a beach resort.

In Efren Yunting Mamac’s Monday report in “GMA Regional TV One Mindanao,” the incident occurred at a beach resort in Barangay Ambulon, Vincenzo Sagun on Thursday.

Victim Jesreel Gaspar Himang, sustained four gunshot wounds. A 24-year-old woman was also hurt in the incident. 

Meanwhile, the police arrested the 29-year-old suspect, a resident of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

“Hindi pa siya nakaalis doon sa pinangyarihan ng insidente, nandoon pa siya within the vicinity. Actually, ito yung effect sa simulation exercise na ginagawa ng region. Isa sa nagpapatunay na kaya nating ma-attain yung five-minute response time na si-net ng ating chief PNP,” said spokesperson Major Shellamie Chang, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9).

(The suspect was still in the vicinity of the crime scene. Actually, this is the effect of the simulation conducted in the region. This proves that we can achieve the five-minute response time set by PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III.)

Chang said the victim and suspect were having drinks when they had an argument that led to the fatal shooting.

“So nung medyo siguro nakainom na, nagtalo sila. Sa middle ng pagtatalo nila, ‘yun nga bumunot ng baril yung subject natin, binaril ng apat na beses yung ating biktima,” Chang said .

(They had an argument after a few drinks. In the middle of their argument, the suspect pulled out his gun and shot the victim four times.)

The provincial government of Zamboanga del Sur expressed its condolences to Himang’s family, whom they described as a dedicated worker. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News