PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — A drug suspect was killed while four others were arrested in a joint law enforcement operation in the nearby province of Lanao del Sur, officials said Saturday.
Maj. Ronald Suscano, Army’s 1st Infantry Division information officer, said the anti-illegal drugs operation was conducted at around 9 a.m. Friday in Barangay Pindolonan, Ganassi, Lanao del Sur.
Suscano identified the slain suspect as Max Diangka, who resisted arrest by the raiding team.
He said Diangka opened fire that prompted the government operatives to return fire resulting to his death.
He said arrested were Ramon Diangka, Alinair Aminola, Emil Merda and Jalalodin Diangka.
The raiding team seized 37 heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu; three caliber .45 pistols; three caliber .38 pistols; one M-16 Armalite rifle: assorted ammunition; assorted illegal drug paraphernalia; identification cards; and cellular phones.
The law enforcement operation was jointly carried out by soldiers, policemen and operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
“Joint Law Enforcement Operations are manifestation of the government’s mandate to protect the people. This operation was successful because of the help of the people and the community” said Lt. Col. Manuel Valdez IV, Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion commander.
Maj. Gen. Roseller Murillo, commander of the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, lauded the joint raiding team for the successful operation.
“We will continue to assist other government law enforcement agencies in their law enforcement operations in Lanao (del Sur) as this will hasten the recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of Marawi and Lanao into a peaceful and sustainably developed province of the country,” Murillo added. (Hirohito Cadion/PNA)
