TWO persons were killed in a "stop and frisk" operation in the province of Zamboanga del Sur, the police reported Thursday, July 9.

Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, identified the fatalities as Maico Magno Fernandez, 29, and Andres Bistel Rabusa, 31.

Galvez said the two, who were armed, were killed as they resisted the policemen responding to the reported presence of gunmen around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, in Purok Golden Shower in San Isidro village, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur.

Prior to the incident, Galvez said the police received a report that two unidentified armed men were seen riding-tandem in a motorcycle in Purok Golden Shower in San Isidro village.

She said the responding policemen tried to stop the suspects, but the backrider pulled a handgun and opened fire, prompting the lawmen to return fire.

She said the two sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the Mahayag Municipal Hospital, but were declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Recovered from the suspects were a motorcycle, a caliber .45 pistol, and a caliber .38 revolver with ammunition. (SunStar Zamboanga)