A 40-year-old Public Information Officer (PIO) of the Zamboanga del Sur provincial government was shot dead by a drinking companion at a beach resort in Barangay Ambulon, Vincenzo Sagun evening on Thursday, June 19, 2025.

The victim identified as Jesreel Gaspar Himang sustained four gunshot wounds in the body. He did not reach the hospital alive.

A 24-year-old woman was also injured after the suspect shot her.

The 29-year-old suspect from Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur was arrested within five minutes inside the resort compound.

“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,” Police Regional Office-Zamboanga (PRO-9) Spokesperson, Major Shellamie Chang, said.

Police said the victim and the suspect were drinking together when a heated argument reportedly broke out. Later, the suspect pulled his firearm out and shot Himang.

“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 added.

Authorities are investigating whether the suspect was serving as a security escort for the victim and what kind of relationship the victim had with the woman injured.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is reaching out to the suspect and the family of the victims for a statement, as of this writing.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Sur has expressed its sympathies over the loss of Himang who, it said, showed dedication to his job and contributed to the development of the local government.