Published February 12, 2021, 11:49 AM
ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) – Authorities killed a top wanted person in a shootout during a law enforcement operation in the Lanao del Sur town of Balabagan, officials said Thursday (Feb. 11).
Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) chief, identified the slain suspect as Jayson Sampiano Deniega, who allegedly was also involved in multiple murder and extortion cases, aside from drug trafficking.
Vinluan said Deniega — the province’s No. 5 most wanted person– resisted the police and military team sent to serve an arrest warrant around 10 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Molimoc, Balabagan.
Lt. Col. Tino Maslan, Marine Battalion Landing Team-5 (MBLT-5) commander, said the shootout broke out when Deniega and his two cohorts opened fire, prompting the Marines and the police to return fire.