The Philippine National Police (PNP) is studying the possibility of promoting SMSgt. Ryan Mariano.
Mariano was earlier cited for his bravery and dedication to duty following a New Year’s Eve shootout in Zamboanga City, ABS-CBN News reported.
Mariano, an intelligence operative assigned at the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO-9), engaged in a shootout with two men tagged as “most wanted persons” while on covert duty at the Mount Carmel Parish Church in Barangay Ayala on the evening of December 31, the report said.
According to Zamboanga City Police Director Col. Kimberly Molitas, the two suspects were identified as Haber Tating and “Cashmere,” who both have standing arrest warrants for murder.
The two suspects were allegedly involved in illegal drugs and were implicated in several shooting incidents in Zamboanga City.
Prior to the encounter, Tating and Cashmere were on board a motorcycle and opened fire after finding out they were being tracked, Molitas said. This allegedly forced Mariano to retaliate.
After an exchange of gunfire, Cashmere was killed on the spot while Tating sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Mariano, on the other hand, sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment and is now in stable condition.
“We’re happy that yesterday, after six hours of surgery ni Sgt. Mariano, he was declared out of danger ng doctor,” Molitas shared.
