ONE of the three motorcycle-riding gunmen was killed in a shootout that ensued after a policeman was shot and wounded in Basilan province, the police said Monday, November 4.

Police Major John Paolo Carracedo, chief of police in Lamitan City, Basilan, said the incident happened 11:20 a.m. Monday in Limo-ok Village, Lamitan City.

Carracedo identified the slain gunman as Husrie Daimon, a resident of Mahatalang village, Sumisip, Basilan, who was declared dead upon arrival at the Basilan General Hospital.

He identified the wounded policeman as Patrolman Ronnie Sawadi, 27, of the 1405th Regional Mobile Force Company, who was taken to the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

Carracedo said Sawadi was shot and wounded by one of three men riding tandem in one of the two motorcycles the latter flagged down for inspection at a checkpoint in the village of Limo-ok.

At the time of the incident, Sawadi was checking on the first motorcycle when shot by one of the assailants riding on the second motorcycle, he said.

Carracedo added that Sawadi, although wounded, managed to return fire prompting the suspects aboard the second motorcycle to flee to one direction while the one driving on the first motorcycle also scampered to another direction.

He said Daimon was shot when Sawadi and the soldiers at the checkpoint chased the suspects and a shootout ensued.

A manhunt was launched in a bid to arrest the other two companions of Daimon, Carracedo said. (SunStar Zamboanga)