Google map of Matalam, North Cotabato.
COTABATO CITY – Police agents shot and killed a drug suspect in a shootout following a drug sting operation in Matalam, North Cotabato on Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, director for Police Regional Office-12 (Soccsksargen), identified the slain suspect as Wilfredo Flores Asuncion Jr., 30, farmer of Purok Molave, Barangay Dalapitan, Matalam.
Corpus said the suspect was initially wounded in the shootout after he drew a gun and fired at policemen during a drug buy-bust in the village around 4 p.m.
“Asuncion sensed that he was dealing with a cop so he drew a gun and fired, prompting the arresting team to fire back at him,” Corpus said, adding that the suspect later died in a local hospital.
He said a still-unidentified companion of Asuncion managed to escape, bringing along the slain suspect’s firearm while running away from pursuing policemen toward a nearby sugarcane plantation.
Seized from the slain suspect’s possession were the PHP500 marked and six heat-sealed shabu packets with an estimated street value of PHP11,800.
Corpus said police records showed that Asuncion had a standing warrant of arrest for rape and murder charges.
Meanwhile, police agents in Cotabato City, backed by elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), arrested on the same day three drug suspects in an entrapment operation in Purok Lawaan, Mother Barangay Bagua.
Collared during the 3:20 p.m. operation were Saddam Maguilna Mariga, 27; Sadam Abas Edres; 29; and Shahana Pilot Mariga, 18, all village residents.
Confiscated from the suspects were the PHP500 marked money, an improvised tooter, disposable lighters, 17 of small packets of shabu worth PHP10,000; and another PHP10,000 cash drug money in small denominations.
The suspects, detained at the PDEA-BARMM custodial facility in this city, face charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). (PNA)
