'Pusher' on PRRD 'narco list' slain in SoCot shootout

GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- An alleged drug pusher who was included on President Rodrigo R. Duterte's "narco list" was killed in a shootout with police operatives in the South Cotabato town of Polomolok Wednesday morning.

Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, regional director of the Police Regional Office 12 (Soccsksargen), identified the suspect as Rodrigo Masalon Samling, 36, a resident of Purok 4, Barangay Landan in Polomolok.

Rasco said operatives of the Regional Intelligence Division 12 and the Polomolok municipal police launched a manhunt against Samling at about 10 a.m. after confirming the latter's presence at the vicinity of Purok 1 in Barangay Polo.

Aside from being included on the drug watchlist, he said the suspect has a standing warrant of arrest for rape.

Rasco said the operating team conducted a checkpoint in the area and eventually accosted the suspect, who was driving a multicab.

"But instead of surrendering, he drew a handgun and fired at our operatives," the PRO-12 chief told reporters.

He said a short firefight ensued that resulted in the wounding of Samling, who was listed as a "level 1 high-value target" in the President's drug list.

The rescue team of the Polomolok Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council brought the suspect to the nearest hospital but he was declared dead upon arrival.

Recovered from the suspect was a caliber .38 revolver loaded with four live ammunition, police said. (PNA)

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