Suspect in shooting of Zamboanga Sibugay town vice mayor killed – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The primary suspect behind the fatal shooting of a Zamboanga Sibugay town vice mayor was killed during a police operation on Thursday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a PNP report, the suspect, only identified as “Jenal,” was killed when a gunfight erupted between his group and police officers in Barangay Igat, Margosatubig, Zamboanga Del Sur.

“Jena is a member of the Anwar-Ansang criminal group,” the report read.

The report added that the operation stemmed from a warrant of arrest against a certain Ermahudin Manguda, also known as  “Er-er,” for two counts of murder. During the operation, “Er-er,” “Jenal” and two others resisted arrest, which led to the gunfight.

The other suspects were able to get away by using their speedboats, police said, and are now being pursued.

Recovered during the operation were one unit Gold Cup cal. 45 pistol having one inserted magazine loaded with eight live ammunition, one inside the holster and one sling bag.

In February, an unknown lone assailant shot Mabuhay, Zamboanga Sibugay Vice Mayor Resituto Calonge and three others.

READ: Zamboanga Sibugay town vice mayor, 1 other dead in gun attack

Calonge, along with his companion Edgar Pampanga, an engineer, died because of the shooting. Another companion, meanwhile, was injured.

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