MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE – A newly identified high-value drug suspect was killed while two of his companions escaped during a buy-bust operation conducted by joint police forces in Barangay Poblacion Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, on Saturday afternoon, October 11, 2025.
The slain suspect was identified as Saidamin Saban Esmail, also known as “Dats,” 25, a resident of Barangay Brar, Datu Anggal Midtimbang, Maguindanao del Sur. Esmail was classified as a newly identified High-Value Individual (HVI) in the province’s anti-drug watchlist.
According to the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station (DOS MPS), the operation was conducted around 2:30 p.m. near the Mindanao State University-Maguindanao Campus by operatives from the Municipal Drug Enforcement Unit (MDEU), the Provincial Intelligence Unit–Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PIU-PDEU), and the 2nd Mobile Platoon of the Provincial Mobile Force Company, under the supervision of PLTCOL Esmael A. Madin, Chief of Police.
Police said the team was about to conclude a buy-bust transaction when the suspect opened fire at the operatives, prompting them to retaliate. Esmail was fatally hit during the brief encounter, while his two unidentified cohorts managed to flee.
Recovered from the scene were five jumbo-sized plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing around 250 grams, with an estimated street value of ₱1.7 million. Authorities also seized a ₱1,000 genuine bill used as marked money, three bundles of ₱1,000 boodle money, a brown leather wallet, Esmail’s TIN ID, and three fired cartridge cases believed to be from a .45-caliber firearm.
PLTCOL Madin hailed his team’s success and issued a stern warning to drug peddlers, saying, “Huwag sa bayan ng Datu Odin Sinsuat dahil may kalalagyan kayo.”
Maguindanao del Norte Police Provincial Director, PCOL Victor Gonzaga Rito, commended PLTCOL Madin and his personnel for their firm action against illegal drugs, describing the operation as a clear response to Governor Datu Tucao O. Mastura’s challenge to local law enforcers to wage an all-out campaign to eliminate the drug menace in the province.
“This is it!” Madin declared, affirming his full support to the directive of the Provincial Director and the Governor’s call for a province free from illegal drugs.
Police operations continue as authorities intensify efforts to track down the two fugitives who remain at large.