By Nanette Guadalquiver

CONTRABAND SEIZED. Firearms, illegal drugs, and cash are displayed following a joint law enforcement operation in Escalante City on April 15, 2026. The raid resulted in a fatal firefight that killed a newly identified drug group leader and two accomplices who resisted arrest. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-Negros Island Region)

BACOLOD CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region (PDEA-NIR) is investigating the network of a newly identified drug group leader killed during a law enforcement operation in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.

The suspect, identified as “alias Joseph,” and two others, were killed in a firefight Wednesday after a joint team attempted to serve three warrants of arrest in Barangay Jonobjonob.

“He is considered as a newly identified drug group leader. This is under investigation,” investigation agent Jan Keith Capili, PDEA-NIR spokesperson, said Friday.

“Alias Joseph” was the subject of an arrest warrant for violating Republic Act (RA) 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and two counts of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act). The other fatalities were identified as “alias Piolo” of Barangay Malasibog and “alias Roy” of Barangay Jonobjonob.

According to a PDEA-NIR report, operating units encountered armed resistance during the service of the warrants, triggering the confrontation.

Joint operatives seized 13 heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing around 13 grams, with an estimated market value of PHP88,400. They also recovered PHP10,000 in cash, believed to be drug proceeds.

Recovered weaponry included an M16A1 rifle, two caliber .45 pistols, magazines, and various live ammunition and fired cartridges. (PNA)