PAHAMMUDIN, Special Geographic Area— A drug enforcement operation by joint operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) turned violent at midday Tuesday, April 21, after a target suspect allegedly opened fire, triggering a 20-minute gun battle in Barangay Simsiman.
Authorities identified the slain suspect as Nasrudin Guiaman Mamaluba, also known as “Nhads,” 28, who was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds.
According to initial reports, the buy-bust operation was launched around 12:22 p.m. following intelligence information provided by a confidential informant. A poseur buyer was able to engage the suspect, but the situation escalated when the suspects reportedly realized they were dealing with undercover government agents.
Investigators said the suspect and his companions allegedly fired at the operatives after detecting the operation, prompting law enforcers to return fire. The exchange of gunfire lasted approximately 20 minutes, resulting in the fatal wounding of Mamaluba.
Two other suspects who were believed to be working with Mamaluba managed to flee the scene and are now the subject of an ongoing manhunt.
Recovered from the operation site was an estimated 50 grams of suspected shabu, with a street value of about ₱80,000 and an estimated national value of ₱340,000. Authorities also seized a .45 caliber pistol (1911 model) with ammunition and magazine, along with various drug paraphernalia and the marked buy-bust money.
Personnel from the Pahammudin Municipal Police Station provided area security during the operation.
The PDEA confirmed that the suspect initially sustained injuries during the encounter and was rushed to a medical facility, where he was later declared dead.
Authorities have launched a follow-up investigation to identify and apprehend the two fleeing suspects, while case build-up and documentation are underway for the filing of appropriate charges.
The incident underscores the continuing risks faced by anti-drug operatives in the region, as law enforcement intensifies its crackdown on illegal drug activities across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).