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COTABATO CITY — Two suspects in an alleged drug trade were killed, while three police officers were wounded in a reported "shootout" early morning Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Datu Odin Sinsuat (DOS) town, Maguindanao del Norte.
The Police Regional Office of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) identified the two fatalities as Samsudin Usman, alias "Sammy/Krega," and his cohort named only as "Piong."
Combined operatives from the DOS police station and higher commands trying to serve an arrest warrant on Usman engaged him and his cohorts in a "shootout" when they were fired at first, said Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, head of the PRO-BAR Information office, in a report.
SHOOTOUT Members of the police station in Datu Odin Sinsuat town and higher authorities show the cadaver of one of the two slain suspects and assorted firearms and ammunition, and sachets containing shabu after an early morning shootout on Oct. 15 in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. PHOTO COURTESY OF PRO-BAR
Usman, tagged as the "most wanted person" in DOS and Maguindanao del Norte, died on the spot, while Piong died hours later, said Ventura.
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Ventura named the wounded lawmen as Capt. Sammy Paning, DOS deputy police chief; Cpl. Marson Quijano; and Private Alex Bajoyo Jr. The two enlisted policemen belong to the police Mobile Team 5, he said.
The police operation also led to the arrest of one Barry Usman, a relative of the wanted suspect, the police report said.
The reported shootout happened at around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Sito Lalaog, Barangay Semba in DOS town, Ventura said.
DOS town Mayor Abdulmain Abas, a staunch advocate against prohibited drugs, had responded to the scene after hearing some bursts of gunfire and coordinated with the police operatives, a civilian escort said.
The incident happened less than a week after Maguindanao del Norte Gov. Tucao Mastura dared the provincial police authorities to track down a certain "big boss" who is believed to be an illegal drug menace in his province.
