Firefight erupted in Maguindanao as police, Army conduct anti-drug operation

COTABATOCITY – Firefight erupted early today in the mountain areas of Ampatuan, Maguindanao while government forces were serving search warrants against a town mayor and several others in Maguindanao, police and military officials said today.Superintendent Jimmy Daza, chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG-ARMM), confirmed in a phone interview that there is an on going search warrant operation against several personalities in Barangay Saniag, Ampatuan, Maguindanao in relation to war on drugs and possible illegal firearms and explosives possession.Daza, however, did not disclose the full details of the operation since it is still ongoing as of posting time.Senior Supt. Agustin Tello, Maguindanao police provincial director, also said in a phone interview, that included in the search warrant is Mayor Rasul Sangki of Ampatuan, Maguindanao.Sangki was earlier named by President Duterte as among the narco-politicians in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.Sangki was also a star witness in 2009 Maguindanao massacre that killed 58 persons in election related-violence.
Sources said at least four persons were killed and three others wounded in the clash between armed followers of the subject of search warrants and government forces.Brigadier General Arnel Dela Vega, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said Army's blocking force near Barangay Saniag clashed with an armed group believed to be involved in illegal drugs.