Ex-army dies in shootout with cops in North Cotabato

PIKIT, North Cotabato - A former soldier was killed while another was arrested during police anti-drug operations before dawn Friday in Barangay Batulawan here, police said.The 3 a.m. operation, according to Chief Inspector Aldrin Gonzales, resulted in the death of retired Sgt. Ibrahim Ayunan, 57, resident of Barangay Batulawan who resisted arrest by firing at the operating troops using his 9mm pistol.Arrested was Salaban Sapalon Talusan and a cal. 30 Garand rifle was taken from him, according to Gonzales, spokesperson of Police Regional Office 12.Joint elements of Regional and provincial Police Drug Enforcement Units and Pikit police were to serve search warrants against 11 persons, including Ayunan and Talusan, for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002). There was resistance and the suspect was armed and dangerous, so there was a brief firefight, Gonzales said of Ayunan who was injured and rushed to Cruzado Medical Hospital in Poblacion Pikit but was pronounced dead on arrival.Other subjects of search warrant were not around during the police and military operation. (Edwin O. Fernandez)