ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A former town councilor and two others were killed during a shootout following a raid Tuesday dawn in the island of Olutanga, Zamboanga Sibugay province, according to the police.
Six others, including two minors and a police, were wounded in the crossfire.
The raid which was part of the "One Time Big Time" operation of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) also resulted to the recovery of six high-powered firearms and ammunition.
Police Superintendent William Gadayan, chief of the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC), identified the slain suspects as Kiking Lim, former town councilor; Edris Mohammad, former village councilman and Basilisa Llanos; all natives of Barangay Poblacion, Talusan town in Olutanga Island.
Police said the husband of Llanos identified as Noel Llanos was arrested during the firefight.
Among those wounded include Lydia Mohammad, Albaina Mohammad, Noriba Amsani while the minors were identified as Fatima Ayesha and Kisma Mohammad.
The wounded police was identified as Police Officer 2 Noriel Go Laureta, a member of the PPSC.
Senior Superintendent Romulo Cleve Taboso, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Office (ZSBPPO), said the police forces led by Gadayan were serving the search warrants against the suspects for violation of Republic Act 10951 also known as Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition.
However, the suspects engaged the raiding police forces that triggered a shootout about 3:50 a.m. Tuesday.
The police recovered from the possession of Llanos one AK47 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun, a unit of baby armalite rifle, one M4 rifle, a caliber .45 pistol and assorted ammunition. A garand rifle with ammunition was confiscated from Mohammad.
Taboso said the wounded cop was immediately brought to the Ipil Provincial Hospital and other wounded civilians to Olutanga Health Unit for treatment.
The police said the raid was conducted against eight targets in the area.