Drug dealer escapes into MILF territory

Lanao del Norte in Mindanao (Image from Google Maps)

ILIGAN CITY – Suspected drug dealer notoriously called Lucky 9 escaped authorities again on Friday in Barangay Basagad, Baloi town, in Lanao del Norte, the military said.

Col. Bernard Taqueban, commander of the Army’s 4th Mechanize Infantry Battalion, said lawmen were supposed to serve a warrant of arrest to Alimbusar Lope Maute, alias Lucky 9, at his house in Basagad but he was able to run an area controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

The area is restricted to government forces due to prevailing peace negotiations between the government and the MILF.

Taqueban said Lucky 9 was involved in illegal drugs and other illegal activities.

Recovered from Lucky 9’s house were an M16 rifle, an M203 grenade launcher, four sachets of suspected shabu, his Nissan Patrol and two motorcycles.

When Pantar Mayor Jabar Tago’s satellite office was raided last May, Lucky 9 was in the area but was able to escape. /cbb