A deadly shootout erupted late last night outside a church in Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City leaving two riding-in-tandem gunmen dead and a police officer injured.
Police Staff Master Sergeant Ryan Mariano of Ayala Police Station 9, assigned to the Special Drug Enforcement Team, was on duty when the incident occurred.
Mariano was reportedly ambushed by the suspects near the church’s entrance. Despite the sudden attack, Mariano managed to return fire, killing one of the gunmen on the spot. The second suspect succumbed to injuries later at the hospital.
Mariano, who sustained minor injuries, was declared out of danger after treatment. Authorities have yet to release the identities of the suspects and are investigating the motive behind the attack.
This marks the latest in a series of violent incidents involving riding-in-tandem assailants in the region, sparking concerns about public safety.
