Woman killed, 9 others injured in North Cotabato anti-drug operations

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A woman was killed while nine others were injured, including a police captain and three more police officers, in an anti-drug operation in Antipas, North Cotabato at dawn on Friday.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, police regional director for Region 12, said joint operatives of the North Cotabato anti-drug unit backed by soldiers from the 19th Infantry Battalion served a search warrant against Edwin Denosapal, 54, allegedly a gun-for-hire operating in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.

The suspect, however, reportedly fired at the police officers, triggering a shootout.

Rasco said the shootout broke out at 2 a.m. at Denopasal’s home in Sitio Panipasan, Barangay Datu Agod, Antipas, North Cotabato, and ended around 3:30 a.m. when Denosapal surrendered.

The warrant was issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 17 Judge Arvin Sadiri Balagot on February 19 for violation of Republic Act 10591 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Killed during the shootout was Denopasal’s wife, Arlene, 49. Denosapal was wounded along with Rolando Bayocboc, 42; Mercidita Bayocboc 43; Forferio Poblico, 66; Denopasal’s daughter, Cherry Mae, 18;  Senior Inspector Bernard Abarquez, police chief of Antipas Municipal Police Office; PO1 Ubert Colago, SPO1 Albert Tubang and PO2 Nero Antonio Osorio, a member of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT).

Osorio sustained serious injuries and was confined in a private hospital in Kidapawan City.

Police recovered two 12-gauge shotguns and a cal. 45 pistol from Denosapal.

Denosapal and his companions are now confined at the North Cotabato provincial hospital under tight police guard. /ee