ZAMBOANGA CITY: A veteran policeman was shot dead and a fellow policeman was wounded allegedly by a group of drag racers last Sunday along Nunez Extension. City Police head Col. Thomas Joseph Martir identified the fatality as Patrolman Pedro Umpad assigned to Central Police Station and his wounded companion as Patrolman Adamer Pandangan. The incident happened a day after this highly urbanized coastal city celebrated its October 12 annual fiesta. Umpad and Pandangan were patrolling the city’s downtown section when they spotted a group of motorcycle riders getting ready for a drag race in front of a restaurant. When the two law enforcers approached them for verification, one of the cyclists resented their interference, pulled out his handgun and fired several times at the police officers. Umpad was allegedly hit in the right chest, killing him instantly. Pandangan tried to return fire but his gun jammed and he was wounded in his left arm. The suspects sped toward Gov. Camins Avenue. Recovered from the scene were seven spent shells of .45 caliber pistol and one live ammunition of 9mm pistol.
