2 gunmen die in Zamboanga del Sur shootout vs cops

TWO gunmen were killed in a shootout with policemen in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police said Tuesday, July 18.

The Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula said the shootout occurred around 10 a.m. Monday, July 17, at Purok Diwalwal in the village of Dao, Pagadian City, the capital of Zamboanga del Sur province.

The police said the gunmen were identified as Aivan Mercado and a certain Jay-R based on the documents recovered from them.

Prior to the shootout, the police of Pagadian City received report about the presence of two unidentified gunmen at Sitio Diwalwal in the village of Dao, Pagadian City.

The suspects were about to leave the place aboard a motorcycle but the back rider, who was wearing a face mask, drew his firearm and opened fire when responding policemen stopped them.

The police returned fire killing the two suspects on the spot.

Recovered from the suspects were caliber .45 and .9-millimeter pistols with ammunition; motorcycle without registered plate number; face mask; P150 cash; wallets; assorted documents; and, a driver’s license bearing the name of Camlian Palong-Palong.

The remains of the slain gunmen were taken to a funeral parlor in Pagadian City, the police said. (SunStar Philippines)