Police killed in a shootout a 52-year-old man considered to be the number one most wanted person in General Santos City.

Authorities were supposed to serve an arrest warrant against the suspect identified as alias “Pogi” when the latter allegedly fought back.

The suspect allegedly fired shots at the operating team first, forcing the operatives to retaliate and hit the suspect.

The suspect did not reach the hospital alive.

“Giunhan niya pabuto among operatives nakita niya nga naay mga personnel namo nga magserve unta og warrant mao to gipabuthan among mga personnel. Luckily wala sila naigo and naka (depensa sila) which resulted na pag-igo aning suspek,” General Santos City Police Station 6 Commander, Major Ivan Charles Abastillas, said.

The suspect was facing charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and illegal possession, manufacture, acquisition of firearms, and ammunition or explosives.

Recovered from the suspect’s possession were three sachets of suspected shabu, a caliber .45 pistol, and a magnum .22 revolver.

Authorities served a search warrant against the suspect in January 2024 but he evaded arrest. The warrant of arrest against him was issued by the court in April 2024.

The seized guns and the firearms of the operatives were placed under ballistic examination.

"Kadtong mga pusil nga naa sa iya subject pod namo for ballistic examination kung kining mga pusil ba nagamit ni sa nahitabo diria na krimen sa Gensan. Ang mga personnel namo na involve ato is subject pod namo sa paraffin test ug sa ballistic exam ang gigamit na pusil,” Abastillas added.

However, authorities maintained that what happened in the operation was a form of self- defense.

“By virtue of self-defense only makapabuto lang mi sa among armas kung naa nay immediate threat sa among kinabuhi,” Abastillas said.

GMA Regional TV One Mindanao is still reaching out to the suspect’s family for a statement, as of this writing.