2 drug suspects slain in Cotabato operation; guns, meth seized

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KIDAPAWAN CITY—Two drug suspects were killed after allegedly trading gunshots with law enforcers on Thursday (July 8) to prevent a court-sanctioned search of their homes in Pikit town, Cotabato province.

Director Naravy Duquiatan, of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 12, said Ronnie Mangansakan and his son and Banji opened fire on a team of PDEA agents and Army soldiers who were approaching their house in the village of Macasandeg at around 6 a.m. on Thursday.

The suspects were slain in the ensuing exchange of gunfire.

Duquiatan said the authorities were out to serve a warrant to search the Mangansakan house on suspicion they possess illegal drugs and unlicensed guns.

After the gunfight, authorities found close to 200 grams of meth in the house estimated to value some P1.3 million.

Also found were an M14 rifle and two M16 rifles, one with an M203 grenade launcher.

The operation, according to Duquiatan, was backed by troops from the Army’s 90th and 34th Infantry Battalions.

JPV