Two suspected drug dealers were killed after attacking police with bladed weapons during a simultaneous anti-criminality operation in Barangay Camino Nuevo.
Police identified the fatalities as Harold Campo Elum, 45, and Melvin Flores, 45, both allegedly involved in selling shabu and marijuana.
According to Police Regional Office-9, undercover officers staged an entrapment when the suspects suddenly drew bladed weapons and charged at them aggressively.
The policemen retaliated after the suspects resisted violently, resulting in a scuffle that led to the deaths of Elum and Flores.
Police Senior Master Sergeant Ajlen Julkarnain sustained a hand injury when struck by one suspect, prompting responders to rush him immediately to hospital.
Another lawman, Corporal Nashri Abdulsabur, narrowly escaped injury when a machete blow struck his sling bag instead of hitting his body directly.
Forensic investigators and barangay officials processed the crime scene, recovering suspected shabu with an estimated street value of ₱34,000 from possession.
Authorities stressed the entrapment formed part of the citywide Simultaneous Anti-Criminality and Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO), focused on suppressing drugs and criminal activity.
Police emphasized the operation highlighted both the risks faced by law enforcers and their determination to safeguard communities from the proliferation of narcotics.
Community leaders expressed concern over the continued presence of illegal drugs, affirming their support for sustained operations that promote safety and security.
Officials assured the public that the case remains under investigation while evidence undergoes validation, stressing accountability and transparency in law enforcement operations.
The successful bust reinforced government’s broader anti-drug campaign, underscoring the commitment to dismantle local networks while protecting communities from violence and criminal influence.
