ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two suspected drug dealers were killed after they attacked law enforcers with bladed weapons during a simultaneous anti-criminality and anti-narcotics operation in Barangay Camino Nuevo on the evening of September 22.
Police identified the fatalities as Harold Campo Elum, 45, and Melvin Flores, also 45, both alleged peddlers of shabu and marijuana in the area.
According to Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9), the suspects were the subject of an entrapment operation when they suddenly drew bladed weapons and charged at the operatives posing as buyers. A scuffle ensued, prompting lawmen to retaliate.
Police Senior Master Sgt. Ajlen Julkarnain sustained a hand injury after being struck by one of the suspects. He was immediately rushed to a hospital by fellow officers and barangay responders for treatment. Another policeman, Corporal Nashri Abdulsabur, narrowly escaped injury when a suspect’s machete hit his sling bag instead of his body.
Forensic experts and barangay officials who responded to the scene recovered shabu worth at least ₱34,000 from the suspects’ possession.
Authorities said the operation was part of the citywide Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO) aimed at curbing illegal drugs and other criminal activities.
The case remains under investigation.