Zamboanga city: Two suspected drug personalities were killed and a policeman was wounded during a law enforcement operation on Monday evening, as confirmed by local police officials on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the city, resulting in the deaths of two individuals identified only by their aliases, Lloyd, 45, and Melvin.

According to Philippines News Agency, Col. Fidel Fortaleza Jr., director of the Zamboanga City Police Office, reported that the wounded officer, Senior Master Sergeant Aljen Julkanain, is a member of the drug enforcement team of the Zamboanga City Police Station 11. Julkanain, along with Staff Sergeant Jayrome Olvido and Corporal Nashri Abdulsabur, was conducting an anti-drug surveillance operation around 10:35 p.m. on Sagrada Familia Drive in Barangay Camino Nuevo when they encountered the two suspects.

Fortaleza explained that the suspects were having a drinking spree when Lloyd, upon recognizing the police team, attacked Julkanain with a bolo, injuring his left-hand middle finger. Melvin also advanced towards the officers holding a bolo. In self-defense, the officers opened fire as the suspects continued their assault.

The suspects were taken to separate hospitals after being wounded but succumbed to their injuries while receiving treatment. Recovered from the scene were five grams of suspected shabu worth P34,000, three bolos, four empty 9-mm pistol magazines, and a coin purse.