Suspects in killing of Sulu cop slain, another arrested

COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Two suspects tagged in the killing of a police official and a civilian informant in a drug sting in Indanan, Sulu were slain in an encounter with law enforcers in Parang town on Thursday.

Ballong Kiyara, 29, and Aljinal Jinnull, 27, were riding a motorcycle when they fired at police officers who tried to pull them over in Barangay Saldang, according to Brig. Gen. Marni Marcos of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Lt. Sali Aspi Salim of the Sulu police and the civilian informant, who was not identified, were shot by the cohorts of a drug suspect who resisted arrest after selling shabu to undercover agents on Sunday.

In Zamboanga City, Benhajar Salapuddin Alan, another suspect in the killing of Salim and the informant was arrested in the premises of the Philippine Ports Authority, also on Thursday.

Alan is said to be with the group of slain Abu Sayyaf sub-leader Albader Parad and involved in drug trafficking and contract killings in Zamboanga City and Sulu.