DUMALINAO, Zamboanga del Sur — A police officer assigned to the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) was shot dead in a broad daylight ambush by unidentified motorcycle-riding gunmen on Wednesday afternoon, July 1, in Barangay Tickwas, Dumalinao, in what authorities are investigating as a possible robbery-homicide.
The victim was identified as Patrolman Armejo Jornadal, a married resident of Barangay Kalubi, San Miguel, Zamboanga del Sur, and an active operative of the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur PMFC.
According to the initial police investigation, Jornadal had just completed a loan transaction in Dumalinao and was traveling back to the municipality of Guipos aboard his motorcycle at around 5 p.m. when he was allegedly tailed by two unidentified suspects riding another motorcycle.
Investigators said both assailants were wearing black jackets, apparently to conceal their identities.
Upon reaching Purok Lapu-Lapu, Barangay Tickwas, the motorcycle-riding suspects pulled alongside the victim. The back rider allegedly drew a firearm and fired several shots at Jornadal, hitting him multiple times and causing him to crash onto the roadside.
Residents immediately reported the incident to authorities, prompting personnel from the Dumalinao Municipal Police Station (MPS) to respond. The wounded policeman was rushed to the Margosatubig Regional Hospital, but attending physicians declared him dead on arrival.
Suspects allegedly took victim’s bag
Police are closely examining highway robbery as one of the primary motives behind the killing after learning that Jornadal had reportedly obtained cash from a loan shortly before the attack.
Investigators said the gunmen allegedly took the victim’s bag, which was believed to contain the money from the loan transaction, before fleeing the scene on their motorcycle.
Jornadal was reportedly riding alone on his motorcycle and was carrying a carton at the time of the attack.
Four spent shells recovered
Personnel from the crime scene investigation team recovered four spent bullet casings from the scene, which have been turned over to the Zamboanga del Sur Forensic Unit for ballistic examination and forensic analysis.
Authorities are also processing other physical evidence that could help identify the assailants.
Massive manhunt underway
A hot pursuit operation was immediately launched by the Dumalinao Municipal Police Station, in coordination with the 2nd Zamboanga del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company and the Zamboanga del Sur Police Provincial Office (ZSPPO).
Police intelligence units are likewise conducting an extensive backtracking of CCTV footage along the victim’s route before the shooting, as well as possible escape routes used by the suspects.
Authorities hope the surveillance footage, together with witness accounts and forensic evidence, will help identify and arrest those behind the fatal ambush.
Investigation continues
As of press time, police have yet to identify the suspects or establish a definitive motive, although investigators said robbery remains among the strongest angles being pursued.
The killing of a member of the Provincial Mobile Force has prompted intensified police operations across the area as authorities vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the investigation remains ongoing.