Ex-Maguindanao mayor, brother killed in shootouts with narc agents

Weapons and alleged illegal drugs seized from the slain suspects. (Photo from Police Regional Office 12)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—A former mayor of Parang, Maguindanao and his brother were killed in separate alleged shootouts with anti-narcotics agents early dawn Friday in Cotabato City, an official said.

Juvenal Azurin director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) said former Parang town mayor Talib Abo Sr. and his brother Bobby Abo were killed in separate shootouts when anti-narcotics agents and police forces tried to serve nine search warrants at their respective houses in Barangay Rosary Heights 7, Rosary Heights 6 and Bagua Mother in Cotabato City.

Authorities said Abo and his brother were  killed in the brief exchange of gunfire which were triggered after they allegedly resisted arrest.

Recovered from Abo’s house were high-powered firearms, illegal drugs, grenades, and ammunition.  /muf