AN ALLEGED supporter of the Islamic State for Iraq and Syria (Isis)-inspired Dawlah Islamiya was killed in a shootout during a buy-bust operation in the province of South Cotabato, officials announced Wednesday, December 30, 2020.
Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command, identified the slain suspect as Noel Bagco, tagged as a supporter of the Dawlah Islamiya terrorist group.
Vinluan said the shootout ensued when Bagco pulled a pistol and opened fire upon sensing he was transacting some P500 worth of illegal drugs to an undercover policeman Tuesday in Cannery Site village, Polomolok, South Cotabato.
However, Vinluan said Bagco missed his target and was wounded when undercover policemen backed by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and 5th Special Forces Battalion returned fire.
He said the operatives rushed Bagco to Polomolok Municipal Hospital but was declared dead by the attending physician.
Lieutenant Colonel Randy Banaag, commander of the 5th Special Forces Battalion, said the Scene of the Crime Operatives recovered from the shootout site three empty shells of 9-millimeter pistol, one caliber .38 revolver loaded with ammunition, a motorcycle and a sling bag containing the P500 marked money and four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu.
Major General Juvymax Uy, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said the name of Bagco is included in the list of spotters and supporters of the Dawlah Islamiyah in South Cotabato.
Uy said they will continue to assist law enforcement agencies in curbing illegal drug operations in the province of South Cotabato. (SunStar Zamboanga)