1 dies, 5 fall in So. Cotabato anti-illegal gun operation

LAKE SEBU, South Cotabato - A wanted man resisted arrest here Sunday, traded shots with law enforcers and ended up dead.Killed was Fitu Wa Bid Sawang who traded bullets with arresting police officersinSitio Lampinik, Barangay Lamfugon, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato at past 5 a.m.Sawang sustained multiple gunshot wounds in various parts of his body and police rushed him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.After the shootout, police also arrested Peter Herbilla and Jay-R Sagadon, including Ma Mundong Sawang whose house saved as hiding place for the wanted persons named in the arrest warrant. A follow up operation also led to the arrest ofCasiano Salvador, Arwen Fordan and Danilo Castillon. The trio were named in the warrant and arrested in the house of a certain Jeo Lambay Sawan.The operation netted high powered guns, a grenade, ammunition and a horse believed to have been taken form its owner in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat.Others identified in the warrant managed to elude the arresting law enforcers.The raid was jointly conducted by elements from theProvincial Public Safety Company, Regional Special Intelligence Division Team, Regional Public Safety Battalion andLake Sebu PNP .Charges for violation of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, election gun ban, RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and cattle rustling.