2 drug suspects slain, cop hurt in Tawi-Tawi shootout

Inquirer files

CAMP SK PENDATUN, MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines — Two alleged drug personalities were killed while a police officer was injured during a law enforcement operation in Bongao town of Tawi-Tawi on Friday, police said.

Police Brig. Gen. Prexy Tanggawohn, regional director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police, said the two suspects fired at approaching lawmen, sparking a shootout inside the Bongao public market in Barangay Poblacion.

READ: 5 foreign nationals arrested in Tawi-Tawi for illegal entry

Authorities said they recovered from the slain suspects a stash of “shabu” (crystal meth) worth P34,000, two .45-caliber pistols with ammunition and a mobile phone.

The slain suspects, identified only as alias “Jay” and alias “Nasir” from Bongao, were turned over to their families for immediate burial according to Islamic tradition.

Police Patrolman Abdulmijir Usman Kali Jr., a member of the 1405th Regional Mobile Force Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 14-B, was injured in the leg during the exchange of fire and was airlifted to West Metro Medical Center in Zamboanga City where he is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Tanggawohn awarded Kali with “Medalya ng Sugatang Magiting” for his valor, resilience and dedication to duty. The wounded policeman also received some financial assistance from Tanggawohn. —Edwin O. Fernandez