The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, July 1, said one suspect was killed, another was arrested, and three others were being hunted following a raid in Aleosan, North Cotabato that yielded loose firearms and suspected illegal drugs worth P689,000.

Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, identified the slain primary suspect as Muhamad Pasandalan, of Barangay New Panay in Aleosan. Arrested was Montaser Pandita, 33, while at-large were Thong Sapal, Kalid Ebad Sakib alias “Budtong,” and Eti Abiden Sapal.

Initial investigation showed the raid targeting Pasandalan, Thong Sapal, Sakib, and Eti Abiden Sapal stemmed from an intelligence packet developed by the PNP Intelligence Group through the Provincial Intelligence Team (PIT) North Cotabato and the Regional Intelligence Unit 12 for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

Police said the warrants were issued on June 19 by Executive Judge Rainera P. Osua of the Regional Trial Court Branch 28 in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The operating units carried out the service of the warrant around 3:50 a.m. on June 29 at Pasandalan’s home but he suddenly opened fire at the troops who were approaching his house.

The officers returned fire, hitting Pasandalan multiple times in the body. He was rushed to a hospital where he was eventually declared dead on arrival.

Investigators recovered from Pasandalan two caliber .45 pistols, several magazines, ammunition, a holster, spent shell casings, and 15 sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 81 grams with an estimated standard drug price of P552,932.48.

"This operation sends a clear message that the Philippine National Police will relentlessly pursue individuals involved in illegal drugs and the unlawful possession of firearms," Nartatez said.

Meanwhile, Thong Sapal managed to flee before he could be arrested but police found in his house a caliber .45 pistol, three magazines, ammunition, three large sachets of suspected shabu, and a camouflage sling bag.

The two other at-large suspects, Sakib and Eti Abiden Sapal, were not in their homes when the officers arrived. Found in their residences were a Colt MK IV caliber .45 pistol, a steel magazine, four live rounds of ammunition, a Baofeng handheld radio, a blue sling bag, and four sachets of suspected shabu weighing about 20 grams with an estimated value of P136,000.

Nartatez ordered the concerned police units to intensify the manhunt for the three at-large suspects.

"We will continue to conduct intelligence-driven, lawfully executed operations to protect our communities. Those who choose to resist arrest with violence will be dealt with in accordance with the law while respecting due process and human rights," he said.

During the operation, police also arrested Pandita after officers allegedly saw a 9mm pistol tucked into his waist in plain view. He was not among those named in the search warrants.

Nartatez commended the Intelligence Group, PRO-12, the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, and all participating units for the operation.

The recovered firearms and suspected illegal drugs were turned over to the Cotabato Provincial Forensic Unit in Kidapawan City for ballistic and laboratory examination.

Police are preparing criminal complaints for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10591 against the suspects.