TWO persons, including a policeman on an undercover mission, were injured in a shootout in Zamboanga City, the police reported Monday, April 19, 2021.

Police Captain Edwin Duco, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the incident happened around 7:50 p.m. Sunday in Purok 1, Sinunuc village, west of this city.

Duco identified the victim as Police Corporal Timhar Amat, 49, presently assigned at Regional Intelligence Unit-Zamboanga Peninsula.

He said Amat was on an undercover mission when shot by the suspect, Melvin Untih, 41.

Duco said Amat, though wounded, managed to return fire, hitting Untih who fled but was later arrested.

He said Untih was arrested in hot pursuit by responding personnel from the Zamboanga City Police Office’s Station 8 and was taken to a government hospital for treatment.

Duco said Amat, who sustained a bullet wound on his leg, was taken to the Zamboanga Brent Hospital.

Recovered from the shootout scene were one caliber .45 pistol, 14 empty shells and two live ammunition of .9-mm pistol. (SunStar Zamboanga)