'Pusher' wounded in SoCot drug raid

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- An alleged drug pusher was wounded in a shootout with police operatives during a raid in Norala town, South Cotabato on Tuesday morning.

Brig Gen. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional director of the Police Regional Office-12, said the brief firefight erupted after suspect Sison Doyal Dalongdong, 35, resisted arrest during a search operation at his house in Barangay Puti, Norala.

Rasco said the warrant--issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Felix Mesa--was for possession of illegal drugs, and illegal firearms and ammunition.  

During the operation, he said Dalongdong reportedly tried to escape through the back portion of his house but was later cornered by policemen.

Instead of yielding peacefully, Rasco said the suspect fired at the operating team using a home-made firearm.

"Our operatives were forced to retaliate, hitting the suspect on the right thigh," the official said in a report.

Seized from Dalongdong's possession were a match box containing dried marijuana leaves and a homemade 12-gauge shotgun with a fired cartridge on its chamber, he said.

He said the operating team brought the suspect to the Norala District Hospital for treatment and is now recuperating.

Dalongdong, who is included in the town's drug watch list, will be charged with violation of Section 11 or possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act (RA) 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10591 for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. (PNA)