1 cop killed, 1 hurt in Zambo Norte shooting; mayoral bet nabbed

ZAMBOANGA CITY—A junior police officer, who was among those who responded to a report on the presence of armed men in the house of a mayoralty candidate in Zamboanga del Norte, was killed when his team was fired at while another policemen was injured, a police spokesperson said.

Four persons were immediately arrested after the incident, including mayoral candidate Alson Chan of the Nacionalista Party, and at least four boxes containing cash and envelopes with sticker of Vice President Jejomar Binay and firearms had been seized.

Supt. Rogelio Alabata, chief of the Western Mindanao police information office, identified the slain officer as Senior Insp. Mirdan Allarce Usama, supervising officer of the Camul Patrol Base in Tampilisan town.

Alabata said around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Usama led a team of policemen to Chan’s house following a report on the presence of unidentified armed men there.

When they reached Chan’s house, which is also in Barangay Camul, Usama and his two policemen-companions saw a vehicle coming out of the house.

“He stopped the vehicle and instructed the persons inside to come out and identify themselves. But then, they were fired at,” Alabata said.

Usama died while being treated at a hospital. The injured policeman was identified as Police Officer 1 Jimmy Panganiban.

Alabata said elements from the Philippine Army and personnel from the Zamboanga del Norte Public Safety Company responded and arrested Chan; Camul village councilor Nilo Malanog; Lito Hampac Jumawan, also of Camul; and Alfredo Marzo Geronimo of Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay.

He said responding Army and police elements also seized seven firearms of various calibers, including rifles, and four boxes of cash placed inside envelopes. The envelopes, numbering 663 in all, had stickers of Binay and Chan.

“We lost one officer, a fallen hero who fought against armed men and in the course of operation, the other teams unearthed firearms and some election-related materials for vote buying,” Alabata said.

He said “Usama made the ultimate sacrifice and had been faithful to his oath, to serve and protect, and ensure that we will have a Secure and Fair Elections (SAFE) this coming May 9, 2016.”