INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
TACURONG CITY – Five suspected drug personalities were killed during a law enforcement operation Tuesday afternoon in Lambayong town, Sultan Kudarat province, police said.
During the operation, authorities also seized 50 grams of suspected shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and high-powered firearms, said Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office 12 director.
Macaraeg identified the slain suspects as Adhen Salbo, Razul Luyugan Dalandang, Ivan Kilapan Macmod, Nasrudin Banto Abdilla and Sadam Mamadtud Abdul, all residents of Barangay (village) Pimbalayan, Lambayong town, about 15 kilometers south of here.
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Macaraeg said that at past 5 p.m. on Tueday, Lambayong police officers, backed by personnel from the Sultan Kudarat provincial police office, Regional Special Operations Group, Regional Intelligence Unit, soldiers of the Army’s 14th Mechanized Company of 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, were about to serve a warrant to search the house where Salbo and his brother, Loy, are living, on suspicion that they possessed illegal drugs.
Macaraeg said Salbo’s companions opened fire as the government forces were approaching, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
Salbo’s brother Loy was able to flee, Macaraeg said.
Macaraeg said the PRO 12 personnel exercise maximum tolerance when dealing with crime suspects.
“However, we will never let them discredit police law enforcement and endanger our operating troops,” he added.
After clearing the area, the government forces searched Salbo’s house, in the presence of his common-law wife, Andod Mama, and barangay officials.
Seized were a huge sachet containing 50 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P340,000, a 12-gauge shotgun, 2 caliber .45 pistols, a homemade caliber .45 machine pistol loaded with ammunition, a Colt M16 rifle, several rounds of ammunition, and magazines.
Macaraeg said a case for violating the law against illicit drugs is being prepared against Loy Salbo.