Police in Zamboanga Sibugay have initiated a thorough investigation to track down and capture the motorcycle-riding assailants who shot and killed a police officer on New Year's Eve.
Details of the Fatal Attack
The victim has been identified as Police Staff Sergeant June Ray Estallo Gamones, 37, a member of the 3rd Maneuver Platoon, Second Provincial Mobile Force Company based in Zamboanga del Sur. The incident occurred at 11:26 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, in Poblacion village, Diplahan, Zamboanga Sibugay province.
Initial reports from the investigation indicate that Gamones was driving his own motorcycle towards Malangas when he was attacked. The shooting happened in a dimly-lit area. Two men on another motorcycle, both wearing black jackets and armed with a rifle, opened fire on him.
Evidence and Immediate Aftermath
After Gamones fell onto the pavement, the gunmen seized his service firearm before speeding off towards the direction of Malangas. Bystanders rushed the wounded policeman to the Wilfredo Palma Memorial Hospital in Diplahan, but he succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment.
Authorities recovered four empty shells from a caliber 5.56-millimeter rifle at the crime scene. It was later revealed that Gamones was on his way to visit his family in Malangas town when the ambush took place.
Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt
The Diplahan Municipal Police Station is now scouring closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera footage from areas in and around the crime scene. This review aims to identify the suspects and trace their escape route. As of now, the police have not yet determined the motive behind the killing.
The Zamboanga Sibugay Police Provincial Office has committed significant resources to the case, emphasizing the urgency of apprehending the riding-in-tandem gunmen responsible for this brazen attack on a law enforcement officer.
