A DRUG personality was killed, while three policemen were wounded in a shootout during an anti-narcotics operation in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, the police reported Monday, August 26.
Police Major Helen Galvez, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula information officer, said the shootout happened around 5:15 p.m. Sunday, August 25, in the village Mucas, Salug, Zamboanga del Norte.
Galvez identified the slain alleged drug pusher as Rapsan Gumandol, who died on the spot.
Galvez said Gumandol's companion, Sacur Aradani, 33, a dismissed policeman, was arrested, while another one, Michael Uy, who was believed to have been wounded, managed to escape.
She said the shootout ensued as Gumandol pulled a handgun and opened fire, upon sensing they were transacting illegal drugs with undercover policemen, who immediately returned fire.
She said the three wounded policemen, whose identities are withheld, were taken to a hospital in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay.
She said the arresting team seized from Aradani a grenade and four heat-sealed plastic sachets of substance believed to be shabu, while a caliber .45 pistol with ammunition was confiscated from Gumandol. (SunStar Philippines)