DAYAG
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agent was killed and three Marines were wounded in an anti-illegal drug operation in Barangay Paniogan, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi on Sunday, Aug. 9.
The operation targeted a former Abu Sayyaf member and high-value drug target, Jimhar Jawadi, alias “Boss M,” and three other high-value individuals.
Jawadil and his followers fired at PDEA Tawi-Tawi personnel, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, and the Marine Battalion Landing Team 4 serving a warrant of arrest against them.
A PDEA-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region intelligence agent, 29-year-old Enfernie Jim Dayag, was killed. Dayag was a native of the Cordillera Administrative Region who joined the PDEA in 2024.
Three Marines, Corporals Gideon Buenaventura and Levie Lumay and battalion commander Lt. Col. Richard Malabanan, were wounded.
Malabanan sustained a bullet wound to the head and was airlifted to Zamboanga City for treatment.
Jawadil was also killed in the crossfire.
Recovered from the suspects were suspected shabu valued at P1.8 million and a cache of firearms.
Manhunt operation is being conducted against the suspects' companions who fled.
Police are conducting follow-up investigation.