Cops neutralize 3 men in illegal drug trade after shootout

KORONADAL CITY -- Police and anti-narcotics operatives Friday neutralized three men who resisted arrest during police anti-illegal drug operation in Surallah, South Cotabato.Senior Inspector Bernie Faldas, police chief of adjacent Sto. Nino, South Cotabato, said the three shot it out with law enforcers during a pre-dawn anti-illegal drug operaton in Barangay Upper Sepaka, Surallah.The still wounded civilians were brought by police operatives to Luntao Clinic and Hospital in Sto. Nino, South Cotabato at 10 a.m. Friday. They later expired.Faldas identified the illegal drug suspects as Ruel Kipad, Toni Silonga Oto, 45, and Martinez Mopak, 26, all residents of sitio Kuhan, Upper Sepaka village.Faldas said the suspects were involved in illegal drug trade in village.During joint operations of Police Regional Public Safety Battalion, Special Investigation and Detection Team, Special Action Force and police personnel from Sto. Nino, Surallah and Banga were fired upon by the suspects as they surrounded the safehouse at 4 a.m.The raiding team seized suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride and firearms from the slain suspects.