By Edwin Fernandez

BUY-BUST. The suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP2.7 million, and the firearm (inset) seized by the police from a Lanao del Sur village councilor during a buy-bust in Bacolod-Kalawi town on Friday (Sept. 5, 2025). The barangay official was hurt and is undergoing treatment in a hospital. (Photo courtesy of PRO-BAR)

COTABATO CITY – A village councilor in Lanao del Sur province was injured when he traded shots with law enforcers during a drug buy-bust in Bacolod-Kalawi town on Friday, police said.

In a statement on Saturday, Lt. Col. Jopy Ventura, speaking for the Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), identified the arrested village official as Anoar Dedaagon Sumbi, 36, councilman of Barangay Sugod, Bacolod-Kalawi.

“Seized from the village official were suspected shabu items worth PHP2.7 million, the buy-bust money, and a pistol,” Ventura said.

His companion, Khalid Gubat, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), escaped after sensing he and the village councilor were dealing with an undercover agent during the buy-bust.

Sumbi opened fire on approaching members of the police’s Special Action Force and provincial drug enforcement unit, triggering a brief firefight. Nobody was hurt among the lawmen.

The village councilor is now in the hospital under police watch while charges are being prepared against him. (PNA)