A DRUG suspect was killed while his cohort was wounded during a joint anti-illegal drug operation by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 11) regional office.
Authorities allegedly recovered from the suspects illegal drugs estimated to cost around P1.6 million.
PDEA 11 spokesperson Noli Nephi Dimaandal, in a statement ,said that the operation was conducted last March 24 at around 12 p.m. in Purok 13, Barangay San Miguel, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.
He identified the suspects as Tominaman Candao alias Kandaw. Candao was arrested after he sold a one big pack of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as “shabu”, worth P120,000 to a poseur buyer.
When Candao sensed that he was transacting with an undercover operative, he resisted and bumped one of the vehicles of the operating units, and exchanged fire with the policemen.
The suspect was rushed to the nearest hospital in Tagum City, Davao del Norte but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
His cohort identified as Olikay Magdara Sabdulah was also hit during the anti-drug operation. Sabdulah was brought to the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City for medical treatment.
Upon further inspection, another seized during the operation was one big pack of shabu with a total of 107.6976 grams of shabu with a street value of P1,615,464.
The seized suspected illegal drugs were submitted to the Laboratory Service of PDEA for laboratory examination while cases for violation of Section 26, in relation to Section 5 and Section 11, Article II of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against Sabdulah.
The operation was conducted by joint elements from the PDEA 11 led by Lawyer Ben Joseph O. Tesiorna together with Police Station (PS1) Sta. Ana led by Police Chief Inspector Nolan Raquid, Tagum City Police Station, Davao Norte Provincial Intelligence Section, 305th AISS, 300th AISG of Philippine Air Force and 101ID of Philippine Army.