MAGUINDANAO – The Philippine National Police (PNP) strengthened security measures in Sultan Kudarat town after a five-hour shootout that left 12 members of a local criminal syndicate and a policeman dead and four other policemen wounded on Saturday.
Sultan Kudarat Police Chief Maj. Julhamin Asdani said this is to avert any possible retaliation by remaining members of a group led by Pendatun Talusan, former chairperson of Barangay Limbo who were involved in series of criminal activities like gun-for-hire, robbery, extortion and illegal drugs.
Asdani said the Police Regional Mobile Force Battalion (PRMFB) deployed more troops in strategic areas of Sultan Kudarat as part of strengthening their security measures.
Assisted by an armored personnel carrier from the military, a group of policemen attempted to serve warrants of arrest and search warrants on Talusan and his group at 3:30 a.m. on Saturday in Barangay Limbo, Sultan Kudarat town.
Instead of giving up, the group of Talusan resisted arrest and fired at the arresting team killing a member of the PNP Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) P/Staff Sergeant Elenel Pido.
The shootout that lasted five hours resulted to the death of Talusan together with his brothers Abdullah, Barangay Limbo incumbent chairperson and Datu Bembi, and nine other companions.
The arresting team recovered 12 assorted firearms including .45 caliber pistols, M-16 and M-14 rifles. – Taher G. Solaiman
