Exclusive - Maguindanao Mayor Tagged As 'Narco-Politician' Slain At Police Checkpoint

A town mayor in Maguindanao that was included in President Duterte’s narco-politician list was killed in a shootout when he and his armed men fought back with the police during a drug raid.

The anti-drug operation was in North Cotabato on Friday, October 28.

Samsudin Dimaukom, mayor of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao, and his nine companions were pronounced dead on arrival at the Makilala Medical Specialist Hospital, said Supt. Bernard Tayong of the North Cotabato police.

The initial reports from the police was that the mayor’s convoy, consisting of three cars, was signalled to stop at a police checkpoint at 4:30 AM because of an intelligence report. The convoy was said to be transporting illegal drugs to Maguindanao and Cotabato.

The checkpoint was manned by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group and Regional Public Safety Battalion 12 in Barangay Bulatukan.

Instead of halting at the officials, the mayor’s men started shooting at the operatives and were then killed.

“It was a legitimate anti-drug operation but the subjects opened fire on our troops,” said Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr. of Police Regional Office 12.

Last month, President Duterte included the names of the mayor and his wife, Vice Mayor Anida Dimaukom, in the list of incumbent and retired government officials allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

The couple denied the allegations.

Source: TNP , ABS-CBN