KABACAN, Cotabato — A joint anti-illegal drugs operation turned deadly on Tuesday afternoon after suspected drug personalities allegedly fought back during a raid conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 12 and the Kabacan Police Station in Barangay Dima, Lower Paatan, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Initial police reports indicate that at least five individuals were killed in the operation, though subsequent information suggests the death toll may have risen to as many as eight, pending official verification. The fatalities were reported during a joint operation led by the Cotabato Police Provincial Office (CPPO) and PDEA-12, according to CPPO spokesperson PLt. James Warren Caang, who confirmed the incident.
Authorities said the operation escalated into a violent encounter after suspects allegedly resisted arrest, prompting law enforcement operatives to return fire. All individuals who died during the raid were reportedly transported from the scene in Lower Paatan, Barangay Dima, for proper documentation and investigation.
Police also confirmed that two suspects were arrested, while two others managed to escape in separate police operations conducted in the same area. A manhunt is now underway to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The incident underscores the persistent dangers faced by law enforcement during anti-drug operations, particularly when suspects choose armed resistance. Investigators are still consolidating reports from operatives on the ground to determine the exact sequence of events, the identities of those killed, and whether proper protocols were strictly followed during the raid.
Note: This is a developing story. This article will be updated once additional information becomes available.