2 suspected bomb couriers slain in S. Kudarat

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 25, 2022): 2 suspected bomb couriers slain in S. Kudarat (By Edwin Fernandez)

HEIGHTENED ALERT. Police officers in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat conduct an inspection Monday night (Jan. 24, 2022) following the death of two suspected bomb couriers and drug peddlers during a law enforcement operation. The strict police checkpoint operation was a preemptive measure against retaliation from colleagues of the slain suspects. (Photo courtesy of Esperanza MPS)

ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat – Two alleged bombers have been killed during police pursuit operations along the national highway here, the police disclosed Tuesday.

In a statement, Capt. Jetro Doligas, municipal police chief, said the two gunmen ignored police officers at an election gun ban checkpoint in the borders of Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao past 4 p.m. Monday.

Doligas said the police and soldiers manning the checkpoint flagged down the vehicle driven by Guialudin Kasan, 30, of Macasampen, Guindulungan, Maguindanao.

However, Guialudin ignored the law enforcers and decided to speed away toward Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, which prompted the police to give chase.

“The police caught up with them along Barangay Sagasa,” the police official said.

Doligas said the two traded shots with pursuing police officers that left the suspects critically injured.

Police rushed Kasan and his companion, identified only as “Bronx” to the hospital where they were declared dead on arrival.

Scene of the crime operatives recovered from the suspects a .22-caliber pistol, an improvised explosive device (IED), 37 sachets of suspected shabu, a multicab vehicle, ammunition, and mobile phones.

Douglas said police investigators are still trying to determine where the two suspects were supposed to bring the IED and the illegal drugs.

The remains of the suspects have been turned over to relatives who showed up at the Esperanza police station.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1166265