Police have confirmed that one of the two suspects in the New Year’s Day grenade bombing that injured 22 people in Matalam, Cotabato has been killed during a police operation, RH Edniel Parrosa reports.

According to the Matalam Municipal Police Station, the suspect, identified by the alias “Can,” was cornered during a hot pursuit operation. Authorities said the suspect allegedly drew a firearm and fired at police officers, prompting them to return fire, which resulted in his death.

Police said the operation was initially intended to arrest the suspect in connection with the January 1 grenade attack. However, the situation escalated when the suspect allegedly resisted arrest and opened fire.

Recovered from the suspect were a caliber .45 pistol, a magazine with ammunition, and several small sachets of suspected shabu.

Earlier, local police floated the possibility that a drug syndicate may be behind the New Year bombing. Authorities noted that law enforcement units in Matalam, Cotabato have conducted several successful operations against illegal drugs in the area, which may have triggered retaliatory attacks.

Following the incident, Acting Philippine National Police Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered heightened security measures in the Cotabato area. Police are also continuing manhunt operations against the remaining riding-in-tandem suspect linked to the bombing.