A POLICE officer killed two of Zamboanga City Police Office’s (ZCPO) most wanted criminals in a shootout on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2024.
In an interview, ZCPO chief Colonel Kimberly Molitas identified the suspects as Haber Tating and Kashmir Ladjahassan Jallao, both of whom have standing arrest warrants for the crime of murder and are involved in illegal drug trafficking and other violent crimes in Zamboanga City.
Molitas said that on the evening of December 31, during a covert peace and order operation ahead of the New Year celebration, Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Mariano encountered Tating and Jallao, who were aboard a motorcycle in Barangay Ayala.
Jallao fired at Mariano, forcing him to return fire in self-defense, killing both of the suspects who had long been under surveillance for their criminal activities.
Mariano himself sustained a gunshot wound in the stomach but is now in a stable condition.
Molitas said Mariano will be given a spot promotion for his bravery and dedication to his duty.
“We remain steadfast in our mission to keep Zamboanga City safe. This accomplishment exemplifies the hard work and dedication of our police officers in combating crime and ensuring the safety of our citizens,” she said. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)