Botched Zambo arrest: Cop suffers headshot, 4 killed, suspect at large

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Four persons were killed and a police officer is fighting for his life after a man being arrested for murder opened fire at a police team and two persons he apparently mistook for law enforcers.

Capt. Yashier Sarikin, Zamboanga City police spokesperson, said policemen from a drug enforcement team was out to serve an arrest warrant for Nurhassan Ladjahasan Jalao in his home at the village of Recodo.

Jalao is wanted for three counts of murder, Sarikin said.

As the police team entered the house, Jalao started shooting, hitting one of the policemen, SSgt. Larry Pugoy Balasabas, in the head.

In the exchange of gunfire, Jalao’s two companions in the house were killed. Sarikin identified them as Jimboy Labtik Saliento and Abdulbakil Yusop Abdurahim.

Jalao managed to escape the police dragnet. As he fled, he came across two civilians and shot and killed them.

Sarikin identified the two as Jamiri Abdurahim, 40, and his son, Patti. He said they could have been mistaken by Jalao as plainclothes operatives.

Brig. Gen. Jesus Cambay Jr., Zamboanga Peninsula police director, said Jalao is being hunted now.

TSB