Barangay kagawad killed, 4 nabbed in Cotabato drug raids

A barangay kagawad was killed while four other suspects were arrested in a series of anti-drug operations in Cotabato City, early Saturday.

Police identified the slain barangay official as Sadat Ayunan of Purok Kapinpilan, Barangay Mother Kalanganan.

Sadat was killed when combined police teams raided his house.

Police said lawmen fired at Sadat aftering attempting to throw a grenade at them.

Police said Sadat was one of the three high-value targets of consecutive anti-drug operations by virture of 25 search warrants on five houses.

Authorities said Sadat continued to be involved in illegal drug operations even after being arrested for possession of firearms and suspected shabu.

"This is simultaneous implementation of search warrant. Actually we have three personalities, one of the personality has three houses so kailangan i-search si Kagawad Sadat Ayunan. Unfortunately namatay, nanlaban may granada siya," said Senior Inspector Tirso Pascual, chief of the Cotabato City Police Precinct 2.

Operatives then proceeded to the house at Usman Subdivision in Barangay Bagua 2 and seized firearms and drugs, but the high-value target was able to escape.

Firearms, ammunition and two sachets of suspected shabu were also seized from a house in Purok Rajamda Budtong in Barangay Bagua 2.

Four people were arrested during the raid. —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News