Four, including cop, killed in Zamboanga Sibugay law enforcement operation

September 4, 2019

Four people, including a policeman, were killed while another one was wounded in a law enforcement operation in Zamboanga Sibugay on Monday, a military official said Wednesday.

Major Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said a buy-bust operation by elements of Philippine National Police ( PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA) was done at Purok Javier in Pangi, Ipil at 10:15 pm.

During the operation, the suspect fired on the government forces that resulted in an armed encounter.

Encinas said suspects Ibrahim Cula, Jan-Jan Mauli, and Absar Cula were killed during the firefight.

He said government troops also nabbed a certain Rosalie Gonzales Cula, 

Encinas said the firefight also resulted in the death of a policeman while another cop sustained wounds and received  treatment at a hospital in Ipil.

"Police and PDEA agents were reinforced by soldiers of 44th Infantry Battalion who immediately scoured the engagement area," he said.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of Western Mindanao Command emphasized that the military "ground troops support law enforcement operations against illegal drugs and other forms of lawlessness to curb violence in the area of operations.” Robina Asido/DMS