2 alleged contract killers slain in Zamboanga ‘shootout’

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Two suspected contract killers were killed in a shootout with a police officer, who was wounded in the incident that occurred in this city on Tuesday night.

Police identified one of the fatalities as Haber Tating.

Senior M/Sgt. Ryan Mariano of the city police Station 9 was taken to the Labuan General Hospital for treatment of gunshot wounds, according to Lt. Col. Ariston Limos, officer-in-charge of the Zamboanga City police.

Investigation showed Mariano was on his motorcycle parked along the roadside in Barangay Ayala when the suspects on another motorcycle pulled over.

Limos said one of the suspects drew a gun and shot but missed Mariano.

Mariano exchanged fire with the suspect for several minutes before hitting the gunman fatally.

The other suspect sped away, but his motorcycle crashed into a concrete wall, killing him instantly.

The shootout was captured by a closed-circuit television camera installed in the area.