BALABAGAN, LANAO DEL SUR—A Lanao del Sur village chairperson was killed in a shootout during an anti-illegal firearms buy-bust operation on Saturday afternoon, leading to a manhunt for four suspects who fled the scene.
According to Philippines News Agency, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the deceased, identified as Billy Jack Ogca, chairperson of Barangay Poblacion in Balabagan town, engaged in gunfire with law enforcement during the operation at 1 p.m. Ogca was critically injured in the exchange and later pronounced dead upon arrival at Dr. Serapio Montañer Hospital in the municipality.
The incident occurred when one of Ogca’s companions, who had arranged to sell assorted firearms to a police undercover agent, opened fire after noticing police presence nearby, triggering the shootout. The operatives are now actively searching for the four individuals who managed to escape the scene.
During the operation, CIDG operatives recovered an array of weapons, including an M14 rifle, two M16 rifles, an M4 rifle, two .45-caliber pistols, assorted magazines, and ammunition. The ongoing investigation aims to apprehend the escaped suspects and further dismantle illegal firearms trafficking in the region.