A police officer allegedly drowned while another cop was shot dead in Zamboanga Sibugay.

In Ipil town, authorities recovered the body of a police officer found floating near a wharf in Barangay Magdaup where he was deployed at past 6 a.m.

The victim, 30, was a member of the 5th Special Operations Unit of the PNP-Maritime Group.

Based on investigation, the victim was seen last by his colleagues around 11:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve while resting on a hammock. At around 4 a.m. the next day, he was no longer in the hammock. His colleagues initially thought he had transferred to another sleeping area until his body was found later on the shore.

Police believe he may have fallen from the hammock.

“Sa baba ana tubig na siya, nakatulog siya then paghulog niya, wala naman naka-rescue sa iya. Siguro, sa autopsy, malaman natin kung nakainom ba siya para malaman natin kung bakit hindi siya nakasigaw,” Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office Spokesperson, Lt. Gina Magnaye, said.

In Diplahan town, another police officer was shot dead along the road in Barangay Poblacion on New Year’s Eve.

The victim was identified as a police staff sergeant, 37, a member of the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office.

The victim sustained three gunshot wounds in the body.

Based on investigation, the victim was reportedly on his way to bring something to his mother in Malangas town ahead of the New Year celebration. However, upon reaching the place of incident, he was shot by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen.

“Papunta siya doon, may hinatid siya sa nanay niya. Yun na po di na siya nakarating binaril siya ng unidentified suspects  na naka-motor,” Magnaye added.

Investigation into the two incidents continue, as of this writing.