Datu odin sinsuat: A wanted person was killed after resisting arrest during a police operation in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, the town police chief, identified the slain man as Iron Watamama Makalanga, also known as Eron Watamama, a resident of Barangay Tanuel. His companion, Bayan Salik, was arrested during the operation.
According to Philippines News Agency, Makalanga, the town’s most wanted person, had a warrant out for murder. Joint police forces were attempting to serve the warrant when Makalanga opened fire on them, forcing the officers to return fire. Makalanga was rushed to a hospital where he was declared dead.
Officers recovered a significant cache of weapons and illegal substances at the scene, including an M16 rifle, a Bushmaster rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, two handguns, an improvised 12-gauge shotgun, ammunition, suspected shabu, and drug paraphernalia. Police indicated that Makalanga led a group responsible for murder, highway robberies, and other crimes in the area.
Lt. Col. Madin stated that Makalanga had previously evaded capture in two or three police operations, underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement in apprehending the fugitive.
