5 drug suspects slain in Sultan Kudarat ‘shootout’

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Five drug suspects were killed in an alleged shootout with law enforcers in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday, police reported yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as Adhen Salbo, Razul Luyugan Dalandang, Ivan Kilapan Macmod, Nasrudin Banto Abdilla and Sadam Mamadtud Abdul.

Brig. Gen. Jamili Macaraeg, Soccsksargen police director, said police were supposed to serve an arrest warrant for Salbo at his hideout in Sitio Mapayag in Barangay Pimbalayan when the suspect and his companions opened fire.

Macaraeg said 50 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P340,000, a 12-gauge shotgun, three caliber .45 pistols and an M16 rifle were recovered at the scene.

Meanwhile, in Bacolod City,  ”high-value” drug suspects Alvin Cristales, 27, and his partner Regina Escosio, 44, were arrested for alleged possession of 1.2 kilos of shabu worth P8.5 million in a sting in Purok Bolinao in Barangay 1 yesterday. – Gilbert Bayoran