Cop dead, 2 others wounded in Cotabato town drug raid

COTABATO CITY—A policeman was killed and two others were wounded in a pre-dawn operation against drug suspects in the town of Alamada, Cotabato province on Wednesday (April 21).

Police said Patrolman Emmanuel David Vales, of the Alamada municipal police office, was dead on the spot while his companions—Sgt. James Byron Lagarto and Patrolman Mario Rapusas—were wounded during the operation.

Maj. Sunny Leoncito, Alamada town police chief, said Vales’ team, backed by several Army soldiers, were sent to serve a search warrant for illegal drugs on a certain Pilong Salangan at the village Guiling past 3 a.m. on Wednesday.

But Salangan and other suspects resisted arrest and opened fire at the law enforcement team.

Salangan and several of his companions were later arrested and are now in the custody of local police for tactical interrogation.

TSB