4 killed, 4 arrested in anti-illegal drug ops in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Four drug suspects were killed and four others were arrested in simultaneous raids  on their hideouts in North Cotabato at dawn on Saturday.

Among those killed during the raids were Monaim Paglas and Mahdem Bagundang, both residents of Purok-5, Barangay Dungguan in M’lang, North Cotabato.

M'lang police operatives claimed that Paglas and Bagundang resisted arrest and shot it out with members of the raiding team.

In Banisilan town, a suspected drug pusher identified as Bienvenido Gumban was also killed in another drug bust operation. 

Reports from Banisilan Police said Gumban drew his pistol when the team raided his house at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

In Pikit town, meanwhile,  a suspected drug courier identified as Alis Blah was also killed in an alleged shootout with authorities.

On the other hand, the four who were arrested during the simultaneous "One Time, Big Time" anti-narcotic operations were identified as:

• Nashrudin Ganang Buisan, 21, of Barangay Lano-on in Carmen, North Cotabato;
• Norodin Nandang Amulan alias Odin, 30;
• Kenneth Pasandalan Cudales, 29, of Poblacion in Kabacan; and
• Vanessa Ayunan in Pikit town.

Authorities were armed with search warrants issued by several local courts in North Cotabato when they raided the houses of at least 10 people suspected to be involved in illegal drug trade.

Recovered from the operations were 19 sachets of suspected shabu, and shabu paraphernalia. 

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Soccsksargen (Region 12), together with Provincial Intelligence Bureau of the CPPO, and several police stations in North Cotabato, led the operations.

The apprehended suspects were brought to the regional headquarters of the PNP in Tambler, General Santos City for the filing of appropriate charges, while the recovered items were brought to the regional headquarters of the PNP Crime Laboratory, also in General Santos City, for proper disposition.   —LBG, GMA News