ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY, Philippines — Two police officers died in separate incidents in Zamboanga Sibugay over the New Year period, with one officer allegedly drowning and another shot dead by unidentified gunmen, police said.
In Ipil town, authorities recovered the body of a 30-year-old police officer floating near a wharf in Barangay Magdaup past 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day. The victim was a member of the 5th Special Operations Unit of the Philippine National Police–Maritime Group.
According to the Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office, the officer was last seen by his colleagues around 11:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve while resting on a hammock at his post. At around 4 a.m., he was no longer there.
His fellow officers initially thought he had transferred to another sleeping area, but his body was later found near the shore.
Authorities believe the officer may have fallen from the hammock into the water.
“Sa baba ana tubig na siya. Nakatulog siya, then paghulog niya, wala nang naka-rescue sa kanya. Siguro sa autopsy malalaman natin kung nakainom ba siya para malaman kung bakit hindi siya nakasigaw,” said police spokesperson Lt. Gina Magnaye.
In a separate incident in Diplahan town, another officer was shot dead along a road in Barangay Poblacion on New Year’s Eve.
The victim, a 37-year-old police staff sergeant assigned to the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office, sustained three gunshot wounds.
Authorities said the officer was on his way to Malangas town to deliver items to his mother ahead of the New Year celebration when he was attacked by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen.
“Papunta siya doon, may hinatid siya sa nanay niya. Doon na po siya binaril ng unidentified suspects na naka-motor,” Magnaye said.
Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.
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