A wanted man allegedly a member of a major drug group was killed after a shootout with police in Barangay Tanuel, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte on Wednesday morning, November 5.
According to the report, Lt. Col. Esmael Madin led the operation with personnel from the Police Regional Office–BARMM to file an arrest warrant against Aron Watamama Makalanga, who is facing charges of murder and other crimes at the Regional Trial Court Branch 13 in Cotabato City. However, instead of surrendering, Makalanga allegedly pulled out a gun and opened fire on the police, forcing them to retaliate.
At the same time, former barangay official Bayan Salik was also arrested for allegedly harboring Makalanga in Sitio Dikogen, Barangay Tanuel, even though he knew he was wanted. According to Police Brig. Gen. Jaysen De Guzman, Salik will be charged with obstruction of justice and harboring a wanted person.
The operation began after residents and town officials, including Mayor Abdulmain Abas and Vice Mayor Bobsteel Sinsuat, reported the suspect's presence in the area.
A 5.56 Bushmaster rifle, shotgun, two pistols, and several sachets of suspected shabu were recovered from the scene. Barangay officials witnessed the seizure of evidence at the scene.
