A SUSPECTED gun-for-hire was killed in a shootout in what was supposed to be a law enforcement operation in Zamboanga del Norte on Thursday, November 29.

Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Luis Licup, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula director, said Ricky Limbaga alias Lapad, a resident of Pianon Village, Kalawit, Zamboanga del Norte died after engaging authorities in a shootout.

Police were serving a warrant of arrest against Limbaga around 7:45 p.m. in Barangay Banigan, Liloy town, when he pulled a handgun and opened fire against authorities.

The policemen returned fire hitting different parts of his body. He was brought to the Liloy Integrated Health District Hospital but was declared dead by the attending physician.

Licup said the police recovered a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition and an empty shell at the crime scene.

Licup said Limbaga is in the gun-for-hire watchlist.

He was also tagged in the series of shooting incidents in Zamboanga del Norte including the killing of Nilo Dahili, village councilor of Lumogom, Godod, Zamboanga Del Norte on October 2, 2018; and the shooting of lawyer Rogelio Dumdum in the village of Poblacion, Sindangan, of the same province on November 11, 2018. (SunStar Philippines)