Top 5 most wanted person in Lanao killed in police-military ops — WestMinCom

The top 5 wanted person in Lanao del Sur was killed in a police-military operation in the town of Balabagan on Wednesday, the Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) said on Thursday.

In a statement, WestMinCom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said Jayson Sampiano Deniega was allegedly involved in multiple murders, drug trafficking, and extortion.

“Jayson Sampiano Deniega, a.k.a. Nonoy, was slain after resisting arrest by the government forces at Sitio Madjar, Barangay Molimoc, Balabagan at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday,” Vinluan said.

During the serving of the arrest warrant, Marine Battalion Landing Team 5 commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Tino Maslan said Deniega, with two unidentified cohorts, allegedly tried to escape arrest and initiated a gunfight against authorities that prompted the state forces to return fire.

“Deniega incurred gunshot wounds while his cohorts scampered to different directions,” Maslan said.

Deniega was rushed to Dr. Serapio Montañer Hospital in Malabang but was declared dead on arrival.

Other troops pursued the two other personalities but they managed to escape.

“I directed the battalion to reinforce the engaged troops and continuously pursue the fleeing lawless personalities,” 1st Marine Brigade Brigadier commander General Jonas Lumawag said.

Authorities have recovered a caliber .38 loaded with six rounds of ammunition, a fragmentary grenade, and two sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride weighing around 1.6 grams with an estimated market value of P10, 880.

The recovered items were turned over to Balabagan Municipal Police Station for proper disposition.

Joint Task Force Central Commander Major General Juvymax Uy commended the troops after the operation.

“This manifests that your soldiers and policemen are working doubly in order to find those who have criminal liabilities,” Uy said. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News