Cop, drug suspect slain in Marawi

LANAO DEL SUR, Philippines – A police officer was killed and another was wounded in a shootout with a wanted drug dealer in Marawi on Tuesday.

The suspect, Abdullah Taurac, was shot dead when he fired at Sgts. Reagan Salbino and Mohaimen Urandig who tried to arrest him at his hideout in Barangay Lilod.

Salbino, a Special Action Force commando, died while being treated at the Amai Pakpak Hospital. Urandig was confined in the same hospital.

Col. Madzgani Mukaram, Lanao del Sur police director, said two guns, a fragmentation grenade and sachets of shabu were recovered from the fatality.

Mukaram said Taurac had been under surveillance for his involvement in large-scale distribution of shabu in Marawi and nearby areas.

Six suspected cohorts of Mukaram were arrested.