1 killed, 2 arrested in anti-drugs bust in Panabo City

TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte, Philippines – One person was killed while two others were arrested in an anti-drugs operation in nearby Panabo City on Thursday, which also yielded P1 million worth of suspected shabu.

Senior Supt. Thor Valiente Cuyos, the Panabo City police chief, said three handguns and a hand grenade were also recovered following the 9 a.m. raid conducted by police authorities and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Purok Bagong Islam in Barangay Gredu.

Cuyos said Amir Sarunay, 46, was killed when he resisted arrest by firing at the approaching law enforcers.

“He was the subject of the search warrant,” he said.

Abel Bediones, 31, and Bryan Bella, 43, who were at Sarunay’s house yielded peacefully and were immediately taken into custody.

Found inside the house were three large packets, 10 medium-sized sachets and 22 small sachets containing suspected shabu.

The street value, Cuyos said, was P1 million.