Matalam: Police shot dead one of two suspects in the New Year's Eve grenade attack in Matalam, North Cotabato, during an operation Thursday night. Lt. James Warren Caang, spokesperson for the Cotabato Police Provincial Office, confirmed the suspect died in a shootout with Matalam police in Barangay Kilada at about 8 p.m. Thursday. Pursuit operations for the second suspect are ongoing.

According to Philippines News Agency, the attackers seemingly shifted their focus to New Year's revelers as retaliation against the anti-drug campaign. The attack resulted in 22 people being wounded, including nine minors, as two men on a motorcycle targeted the crowd. Initial investigations have linked the attack to the ongoing police anti-drug efforts in the municipality.

Lt. Caang further mentioned that Kilada village is identified as one of the areas where drug syndicates are known to operate, possibly motivating the attackers to retaliate against law enforcement's anti-drug measures.