LAMBAYONG, Sultan Kudarat — A 25-year-old suspect was killed in an alleged exchange of gunfire with police, while a 45-year-old farmer was arrested in a separate operation that yielded suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, and several firearms and ammunition in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, early Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
The two operations were conducted by personnel of the Lambayong Municipal Police Station, in coordination with other police units and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 12, as authorities implemented warrants against their respective targets.
Suspect killed during warrant implementation
According to the police report, the first operation began at approximately 4:29 a.m. in Purok Maliga, Barangay Liit, Lambayong, when the operating team approached a target residence to serve search warrants.
During the approach, a man identified as alias “Panangilan,” 25, allegedly fired at the police operatives, prompting them to return fire in what authorities described as an act of self-defense.
Panangilan sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He was immediately transported to a hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.
Police said the target of the operation was not a resident of the area.
During crime scene processing, investigators recovered a caliber .45 pistol loaded with four rounds, a spent caliber .45 cartridge, and a spent 5.56mm cartridge.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the sequence of gunfire and the actions of those involved, remain subject to investigation. Further details regarding the warrant against Panangilan and any additional findings have yet to be disclosed in the available report.
Farmer arrested in follow-up search operation
At approximately 6:35 a.m., authorities conducted a separate search warrant operation against alias “Tol,” a 45-year-old farmer and resident of the same barangay.
The search yielded three sachets of suspected shabu with a combined gross weight of 17 grams, including the weight of the plastic packaging, according to police.
Authorities also seized several firearms and ammunition, including:
- One Uzi submachine gun with four rounds of ammunition;
- One spare magazine containing 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition; and
- One caliber .38 revolver with four rounds of ammunition.
Police also recovered suspected drug-related paraphernalia, including an all-weather tooter, improvised sealers, a lighter, and plastic cellophane.
The seized substances have been described as suspected shabu; their identity and composition would need to be established through appropriate forensic examination.
Police said Tol was informed of the reason for his arrest and his constitutional rights. The seized items were marked and inventoried in the presence of the suspect and the required witnesses.
Suspect detained as investigation continues
Tol and the confiscated evidence were brought to the Lambayong Municipal Police Station for documentation and appropriate legal proceedings. Evidence recovered from the shooting scene was turned over to the Sultan Kudarat Police Forensic Unit for examination.
The arrested farmer is facing possible charges for violations of Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which penalizes unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Further information on the formal filing of charges, the forensic examination of the seized items, and the continuing investigation into Panangilan’s death was not immediately available.
The two operations resulted in one fatal shooting and one arrest, but the allegations against the surviving suspect must still be resolved through the appropriate legal process. The circumstances of the fatal encounter likewise remain subject to investigation.