ZAMBOANGA CITY — A grieving family in Barangay Sinunuc has accused authorities of carrying out what they described as a “massacre” after a pre-dawn police operation on Thursday, April 23, left three of their relatives dead and three others wounded, including a youth official.
The incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. along Alas-as Drive in Sinunuc, a coastal village in Zamboanga City. According to initial accounts from the Alfad family, the operation—reportedly for the service of a warrant of arrest—turned violent and resulted in a deadly shootout inside their residential area.
Family members identified those killed as the subject of the arrest warrant, a Lupong Tagapamayapa member, along with his 12-year-old son and a 24-year-old nephew who were allegedly caught in the crossfire. Three others were injured in the incident, including a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawad, who is reportedly the daughter of the primary suspect.
The wounded victims were rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. Their conditions have not yet been publicly disclosed.
In an emotional appeal, the Alfad family strongly disputed the official characterization of the incident as a legitimate police operation, insisting instead that excessive force was used. “Parang masaker ang ginawa sa amin,” a family member said, as they called for an independent investigation into the conduct of the authorities.
Residents in the area have also raised concerns, with some neighbors expressing doubts about how the operation was carried out, particularly given the presence of minors and other civilians at the scene.
As of this writing, the Philippine National Police has yet to release an official statement detailing the circumstances of the operation, including whether proper protocols were followed during the service of the warrant.
The lack of immediate clarification has fueled public concern and calls for transparency, especially in light of the fatalities that included a child. Human rights advocates have long emphasized the need for strict adherence to operational procedures to prevent civilian casualties during law enforcement actions.
Authorities said an investigation is ongoing to establish the full sequence of events, including whether the deaths and injuries resulted from an exchange of gunfire or other factors.
The incident adds to growing scrutiny over police operations nationwide, particularly those conducted in residential communities where the risk to non-combatants remains high.