DATU HOFFER, Maguindanao del Sur – A suspected shabu dealer allegedly linked to remnants of two dismantled terrorist groups was killed after reportedly engaging police officers in a shootout during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Limpongo, Datu Hoffer, on Wednesday afternoon, July 8.
The suspect was identified by the Police Regional Office–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) as Rahim Antipolo Upam, also known by the alias “Antipolo,” who was facing charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
According to PRO-BAR spokesperson Captain Steffi Salanguit, the anti-drug operation was launched at around 5:30 p.m. by personnel of the Datu Hoffer Municipal Police Station (MPS), in coordination with the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) under Police Lieutenant Colonel Erwin G. Tabora and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–BARMM (PDEA-BARMM).
Police said an undercover officer successfully purchased two sachets of suspected shabu from Upam during the operation. However, the suspect allegedly realized he was dealing with law enforcement officers, prompting him to draw a firearm and threaten the operating team.
Authorities said the police officers returned fire in self-defense after the suspect allegedly attempted to shoot them.
Upam sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to the Bangsamoro Regional Medical Center in nearby Shariff Aguak, where attending physician Dr. Kevin Sinangote declared him dead on arrival.
His remains were later claimed by his family.
Alleged Financing of Terrorist Remnants
Intelligence officials from the 601st Infantry Brigade and PRO-BAR disclosed on Thursday that Upam had allegedly been providing a portion of his illegal drug proceeds to the remaining members of the Dawlah Islamiya (DI) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) who continue to hide in Datu Hoffer and neighboring municipalities in Maguindanao del Sur.
Military intelligence reports also revealed that Upam had been under close surveillance following reports from barangay officials accusing him of distributing illegal drugs in remote communities across the province.
The operation was jointly planned by the Datu Hoffer MPS under the leadership of Captain Beatriz Taeza, together with the PMFC, after local officials repeatedly raised concerns over the suspect’s alleged drug trafficking activities.
Firearms, Drugs, and Other Evidence Recovered
Following the operation, authorities recovered several pieces of evidence from the crime scene, including:
- Two heat-sealed plastic sachets containing suspected shabu;
- One homemade 12-gauge shotgun;
- One .38-caliber revolver with serial number 13345;
- One steel magazine assembly;
- Twenty rounds of 5.56mm ammunition;
- Nine 12-gauge shotgun shells;
- One fired 9mm bullet;
- One fired 9mm cartridge case;
- Four metallic fragments; and
- Marked and boodle money consisting of two ₱100 bills and one ₱50 bill used in the buy-bust operation.
The seized evidence was marked, photographed, and inventoried at the scene by the Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) in the presence of Barangay Chairwoman Lina Unao of Barangay Limpongo and media representative Baimamot Ampatuan of TMFM Radio, in compliance with the requirements of Republic Act 9165.
The confiscated suspected shabu and other evidence have since been turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit in Barangay Talisawa, Datu Abdullah Sangki, for laboratory examination.
Military Notes Family’s Previous Surrender
Meanwhile, officials of the 6th Infantry Division (6ID) disclosed that four relatives of Upam, who were identified as members of the Dawlah Islamiya, had surrendered to the 38th Infantry Battalion during a ceremony held in Barangay Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, on June 21.
Security officials said the latest operation highlights the continuing connection between illegal drug trafficking and the financing of extremist activities in parts of Central Mindanao, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle both narcotics networks and the remaining armed terrorist cells operating in the region.
Police and military authorities have vowed to sustain joint operations against individuals involved in illegal drugs, particularly those suspected of supporting terrorist organizations through proceeds from criminal activities.