Suspected mastermind in slay of PDEA agents resists arrest, killed in NBI raid

The alleged mastermind behind the deaths of five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) operatives in 2018 was killed during a shootout with authorities in Wao, Lanao del Sur.

Members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)- Iligan and Philippine National Police Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) went to a secluded area in the municipality to supposedly arrest William Gandawali, who is also an incumbent barangay chairperson.

Gandawali, however, opened fire forcing the police to retaliate and kill him.

“Makikita sa video na naputukan ang mga agents natin kasama yung ibang counterparts natin and ang resulta, napatay itong si kapitan..si William. May mga wanted pa dyan, may mga kasamahan ito sa pag-ambush hindi tayo titigil hangga't mahuli sila at mapanagot natin sa batas,” NBI Director Eric Distor said in John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras”.

(As you can see from the video, our agents were shot along with our other counterparts. This resulted in the death of the barangay captain… William. There are still wanted persons who participated in the ambush. We will not stop until we arrest them and hold them accountable.)

Several firearms were recovered from the crime scene including one armalite, one M203 grenade launcher and live ammunition.

One policeman, meanwhile, was injured in the incident.—Sundy Mae Locus/LDF, GMA News