3 slain in Sibugay shootout

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Three were killed, including a former municipal councilor, when a shootout erupted following a raid targeting unregistered firearms on Olutanga Island, Zamboanga Sibugay province at dawn yesterday.

Reports said six others, including two minors and a police officer, were wounded in the crossfire.

The raid, which was part of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s ”One Time, Big Time” campaign against lawless elements, resulted in the recovery of six firearms and ammunition.

Superintendent William Gadayan, chief of the provincial police public safety company, identified the fatalities as former councilor Kiking Lim and former village councilors Edris Mohammad and Basilisa Llanos, all of Talusan town.

Police said Llanos’ husband, Noel, was arrested after the firefight.

Wounded were Lydia Mohammad, Albaina Mohammad, Noriba Amsani, minors Kisma Mohammad and Fatima Ayesha, and Police Officer 2 Noriel Laureta, a member of the raiding team.

Senior Superintendent Romulo Cleve Taboso, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga Sibugay police office, said the raiding team was serving a search warrant against Lim, Mohammad and Llanos for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The suspects reportedly shot at the raiding team, triggering a shootout.

Police recovered four rifles, a shotgun, a .45 caliber pistol and assorted bullets from the scene of the encounter.

Laureta was taken to Ipil Provincial Hospital and the civilians to the Olutanga Health Unit for treatment.