2 killed in Zamboanga anti-drug operation

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Two men were killed after they allegedly attacked a team of anti-narcotics agents in this city on Monday night.

The fatalities – identified as Harold Lloyed Elum, 45, and Melvin Flores, 45 – were declared dead on arrival in a hospital due to gunshot wounds.

M/Sgt. Aljen Julkanain was also taken to a hospital for treatment of an injury caused by a machete.

Investigation showed the policemen were conducting an anti-drug surveillance operation in Barangay Camino Nuevo when Elum allegedly attacked Julkanain with a machete, hitting him in the hand.

Flores reportedly joined Elum in assaulting the officers, who were compelled to draw their guns and shoot the suspects.

Probers said the machetes and a plastic sachet containing suspected shabu were recovered at the scene.