Suspect with 8 murder cases slain in Lanao del Norte gun fight
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — An alleged notorious gang leader linked to terror-group financing and wanted for multiple killings was shot dead after engaging lawmen in a gun battle.
The encounter took place during an arrest operation in Lanao del Norte on Monday morning, August 17.
Police identified the slain suspect as Khalid “Talib” Masaronay, the alleged leader of the Masaronay Group and ranked as the No. 7 Most Wanted Person in Northern Mindanao.
Masaronay was killed at around 10:15 a.m. on August 17 in Purok 3, Barangay Mindalano, Salvador town, the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO-10) said.
Recovered during the operation were suspected shabu valued at P1 million and some firearms.
The joint operation was carried out by the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit 10, the PNP Special Action Force Rapid Deployment Battalion, the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 10, Lanao del Norte mobile forces, regional intelligence units, and local police from Salvador and Sapad.
It was aimed to serve warrants of arrest against Masaronay, covering nine criminal cases.
These charges include eight counts of murder and one count of frustrated murder.
Brig. Gen. Christopher Abrahano, PRO-10 commander, said that the operation underscores the regional command’s drive to dismantle organized crime networks feeding local violence.
“We will continue to pursue wanted persons and criminal groups through intelligence-driven operations,” Abrahano said.
All recovered firearms, ammunition and seized narcotics were turned over to the Lanao del Norte Forensic Unit for ballistic and laboratory examinations. /apl
