Gunfight Erupts During Lanao del Sur Village Councilor Arrest
A buy-bust operation in Lanao del Sur involving a village councilor ended in a tense gunfight, leaving one suspect wounded and arrested, officials reported. The operation targeted illegal drug activities in Barangay Ampao, Bacolod-Kalawi town.
The Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PROBAR) led the operation at around 3 p.m. on Friday. Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, PROBAR spokesperson, confirmed that the suspect, identified as Anoar Dedaagon Sumbi, 36, a village councilor from Sugod in Bacolod-Kalawi, engaged authorities in a brief firefight after realizing they were negotiating with undercover police officers.
Suspect Injured; Companion Escapes
While the village councilor was shot and immediately taken into custody, his companion, Khalid Dimnatang Gubat, a member of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit and fellow resident, managed to flee the scene, local leaders noted. The swift response by the police prevented further violence but allowed the second suspect to evade capture.
Seizure of Methamphetamine and Firearms
The joint effort involved PROBAR’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit, the Bacolod-Kalawi municipal police, the Special Action Force, and other police units. Authorities confiscated suspected methamphetamine valued at approximately P2.7 million, along with a Norinco pistol and several rounds of ammunition.
The confiscated items underscore the ongoing battle against illegal drugs in the region, community members said, highlighting the risks posed by local officials involved in such activities.
Legal Proceedings and Hospitalization
The injured barangay official is currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital. Authorities confirmed that Sumbi will face criminal charges related to illegal drug possession and use of firearms, officials reported. The case is expected to proceed swiftly given the evidence gathered during the operation.
This incident sheds light on the persistent challenges law enforcement faces in curbing drug-related crimes, especially when public officials are implicated. Residents hope for stronger measures to ensure peace and safety in their communities.
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