Police officer killed chasing gun runners in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur

A police officer was killed in a gun buy-bust operation as he chased the suspects in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras," the officer was identified as Police Major Aiman Khuzaimah Pantaran, who was reported to be the team leader of the raiding team.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), the suspects opened fire after sensing that they were dealing with police officers. The two suspects were also killed in the incident.

PNP spokesperson P/Col. Allan Rae Co said Pantaran ran after the suspects after making sure that a pregnant woman and children in the area were safe and secure.

“Hinabol niya, not knowing na may isa pong nakatago… ‘yon po ang nakabaril kay Major Pantalan,” Co said.

(He ran after the suspects not knowing that one of them was hiding—he was the one who shot Major Pantalan.)

“Nakatago po kasi eh, so tinamaan na siya. He sustained three gunshot wounds sa armpit at tsaka sa chest po,” he added.

(The shooter was hiding; that’s why he was easily shot. He sustained three gunshot wounds in the armpit and chest.)

The PNP said it will make sure that all benefits, as well as financial and institutional support, will be provided to the family of the late police officer.

“With the assurance na lahat po ng benefits, lahat po ng financial and institutional support, will be given to him. Hindi po natin pababayaan yung naiwan ng ating yumaong kasamahan,” Co said.

(With the assurance that all benefits, all financial and institutional support, will be given to him. We will not neglect the family left behind by our fallen colleague.)

Meanwhile, authorities are investigating if the two individuals killed in the operation were affiliated with a larger group involved in other crimes, including gun-running, and how extensive their operations were.

“One less firearm in the hands of yung mga criminals di ba, malaking bagay na po,” Co said.

(One less firearm in the hands of these criminals, right? That is already a big deal.) –Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/NB, GMA News