Marine killed in duel with cop in Zamboanga club

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 15, 2010) – A member of the Philippine Marines was killed and a policeman seriously wounded after the two engaged in a duel before dawn Thursday in Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

The policeman had responded to emergency calls that the soldier, Rex Pamittan, was creating trouble inside a night club in the village of Putik.

The soldier was briefly pacified, but later engaged the officer in a heated argument. The soldier then pulled out a pistol tucked in his pants and shot the policeman who managed to return fire.

“It was the Marine who first drew his gun,” a police investigator said.

The soldier was already dead when police forces arrived in the club. They rushed the wounded officer to the hospital. The investigator said they recovered at least a dozen empty shells fired from pistols.

It was unknown how the soldier, clad in a pair of denim pants and shirt, was able to sneak his weapon inside the club which is strictly illegal. (Mindanao Examiner)