2 drug peddlers slain in South Cotabato

GEN. SANTOS CITY–Two suspected drug personalities were killed when they reportedly resisted as lawmen served search warrants in Polomolok town, South Cotabato province on Thursday.

Sixteen other suspected drug peddlers and pushers were arrested during the simultaneous “One Time Big Time” anti-drug operations in five villages of Polomolok, according to Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzales, spokesperson of Central Mindanao police.

“The two resisted arrest and opened fire on police officers,” Gonzales said of the two suspects, who were initially critically injured, when lawmen returned fire.

Troops rushed them to a hospital but were declared dead upon arrival, Gonzales said.

He identified the slain suspects as Ruben Porsuelo and Bobong Jamelo, both residents of Barangay Magsaysay in Polomolok.

Gonzales said the joint police operatives were backed by members of the 27th Infantry Battalion when they served 34 search warrants in the villages of Poblacion, Rubber, Lumakil, Magsaysay and Silway 8, all in Polomolok.

The spokesperson said the raid was coordinated with village and town officials.

At least seven firearms and grenades were recovered from the arrested and slain suspects. /lb