A police officer and a man who was allegedly the subject of a police operation were killed in an armed confrontation outside a store in San Jose, Dinagat Islands on Thursday, August 7, 2025.

According to the Dinagat Islands Police Provincial Office (DIPPO), two personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Dinagat Islands Field Unit 13 (CIDG-DIFU 13) identified as Patrolman Ferry Sida Jaso and Patrolman Leonel Estroso were conducting monitoring and surveillance operation against a suspect in a possession of firearms case.

When the two operatives arrived in Barangay Sta. Cruz, the suspect reportedly sensed their presence, pulled out his caliber .45 pistol and shot Jaso in the head, killing him instantly.

The suspect then took Jaso’s gun. However, Estroso grappled with the suspect and shot him after gaining an upper hand.

The suspect was hit in different parts of his body and died on the spot.

Estroso surrendered a 9mm pistol with a magazine while other pieces of evidence were recovered from the suspect, including a caliber .45 pistol and a 9mm pistol.

The bodies of Jaso and that of the suspect were brought to a funeral home for postmortem examination.

“The Dinagat Islands Police Provincial Office expresses its deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims. This is an isolated case. However, we condemn this type of violence, and we want to ensure the public that your police force is working hard to put an end to these kind of incidents,” DIPPO Director, Col. Jerome Dela Cruz, said.