Suspect on Duterte narco list resists arrest, killed – police

TULUNAN, North Cotabato – Anti-drug operatives killed Monday night two drug suspects who reportedly resisted arrest during a law enforcement operation in Barangay Minapan here, police said.

Senior Supt. Maximo Layugan, North Cotabato police director, said members of the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and the Tulunan police were to serve five search warrants against Elay Absalon, of Barangay Minapan, at 8 p.m. when a gunfight took place.

Absalon, who was facing investigation for drug peddling and possession of unlicensed guns, was reportedly on the narco list of President Duterte.

Layugan said that as the lawmen were entering Absalon’s house, he opened fire at them, triggering a shootout.

A companion of Absalon, Agi Samoy, was also killed in the gunfight.  There were no casualties on the side of the police.

Police rushed Absalon and Samoy to a hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Layugan said police recovered two caliber 45 pistols, two caliber 38 revolvers, a 9 mm pistol, 10 sachets of shabu and a hand grenade. /cbb