Alleged drug trader, 6 armed men nabbed in Sorsogon

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines—A suspected illegal drug dealer included on the police’s national drug watch list and six armed men who introduced themselves as Department of Justice (DOJ) personnel were arrested in a resort in Matnog town in Sorsogon province on Saturday, police said Sunday.

Reynaldo Diaz alias James Tan was nabbed by a raiding team on the strength of a search warrant at the Subic Saday Resort in Barangay (village) Calintaan, Matnog, at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, said Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol regional police spokesperson.

Arrested with Diaz were six armed men who introduced themselves as members of the DOJ’s Witness Protection Program Intelligence Service Operations Group (WPP ISOG).

Seized from them were four M16 rifles, six .45 cal. pistols and magazines and bullets for different guns.

At press time on Sunday, police held the armed men in custody as they started checking if indeed they were employees of the DOJ and if they were on a legitimate mission in Sorsogon. Police were also investigating why the armed men were with Diaz, who is facing frustrated murder cases and said to be a close associate of Peter Lim, allegedly one of the top drug lords in the country.

Diaz was presented to Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who was in Naga City for the Feast of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia. RAM/rga

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