World · Philippines Bureau
Police major, two suspects die in Pagadian firearms sting operation
A 35-year-old intelligence officer with the Pagadian City Police Station was killed alongside two suspects during an early morning buy-bust operation targeting illegal firearms in Zamboanga del Sur on Sunday.
LSN Philippines ·
PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — An intelligence major and two suspected gun traders were fatally shot during a law enforcement operation in this southern Philippine city in the early hours of Sunday, August 23.
Maj. Aiman Khuzaimah Pantaran, 35, an intelligence officer attached to the Pagadian City Police Station, was among those killed when the buy-bust operation against loose firearms turned deadly.
Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the circumstances that led to the fatal exchange of gunfire or the identities of the two suspects killed during the operation. The incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by Philippine law enforcement in combating the proliferation of unregistered weapons in the region.
The Pagadian City Police Station and higher police authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the incident.