HADJI MOHAMMAD AJUL, BASILAN — A pre-dawn buy-bust operation in Barangay Sironggon erupted into a deadly shootout on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, leaving a police operative dead, one suspect neutralized, and another arrested, while the main target managed to escape.
The operation, launched at around 4:10 A.M., involved joint elements of the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) led by PLTCOL Basiri A. Hassan, alongside the Provincial Intelligence Unit, 1st and 2nd Basilan Provincial Mobile Force Companies, Akbar Municipal Police Station, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–BARMM. The target of the sting was identified as Hamid Idarus, alias “MIDS,” a known drug personality operating in the area.
As operatives moved in, Idarus and his cohorts reportedly opened fire, triggering an armed confrontation. PCMS Jilhem J. Elmen, a member of the PDEU, was critically wounded in the initial volley. He was rushed to Lamitan District Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians. Elmen, a resident of Maluso, Basilan, is the latest casualty in the province’s persistent campaign against illegal drugs.
One of the suspects, identified as Immad “Ad” Awwalun, was killed during the gunfight. Another suspect, Ridzmar Awwalun Muhammad, was arrested at the scene. Police believe a third suspect was wounded but managed to escape along with the primary target, alias MIDS.
Recovered from the arrested suspect was a heat-sealed sachet containing an estimated two grams of suspected shabu, with a street value of ₱13,600. The seized evidence was inventoried and photographed at the HMA Municipal Police Station in the presence of barangay officials and a media representative from DXRZ 900 RMN News.
Authorities informed the arrested suspect of his constitutional rights in a dialect he understood. He is scheduled to undergo medical and drug testing before being transported to the PDEU office in Barangay Menzi, Isabela City, for further processing. The confiscated evidence will be turned over to the Basilan Provincial Forensic Unit for laboratory analysis.
A case for violation of Section 11, Article II of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act (R.A. 9165) is being readied for filing before the Basilan Provincial Prosecutor’s Office.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the turnover of the remains of PCMS Elmen and the slain suspect to their families. Police operations continue as authorities intensify efforts to track down the at-large drug suspect, alias MIDS, and his remaining cohorts.