3 anti-drug operatives killed in clash with Moro rebels

NORTH COTABATO — Three anti-narcotics operatives were killed while five others were wounded in a firefight on Sunday in Midsayap town with Moro guerrillas they were to arrest for drug trafficking.

 

Four rebels led by Commander Madrox, wanted for heinous offenses and large-scale drug distribution of methamphetamine hydrochloride, were also killed in the ensuing encounter.

 

The hostilities in Sitio Ipil-Ipil in Barangay Nabalawag west of Midsayap erupted when Madrox and his men opened fire on a team of policemen, soldiers and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency who were trying to approach their lair to serve them warrants of arrest.

 

The initial exchange of gunfire resulted in the death of PO3 Darwin Espallardo, Corporal Jose Miravalles and Private 1st Class Jaypee Duran, both members of the elite Reconnaissance Company of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division.

 

Four followers of Madrox, initially identified only as Hamodi, Pekus, Omar and Abdul, were also felled by Army snipers as the skirmishes ensued.

 

Four soldiers wounded in the encounter, Sgt. Arinio Grafil, Private Normel Grande, Corporal Diocesar Espanola, Private 1st Class Romnick Clerigo and Private Edgar Gegone, were immediately rushed to a hospital for medication.

 

Madrox is known for operating a drug ring which has distributors in remote villages in North Cotabato’s Midsayap and Aleosan towns.