MILF leader, pals elude anti-drug ops in North Cotabato

KABACAN, NORTH COTABATO — Anti-narcotics agents seized P90,000 worth of shabu (crystal meth) in a raid at two houses here on Monday supposedly to arrest a number of personalities allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.

Director Naravy Duquiatan, chief of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA) Soccsksargen, said targeted for arrest was Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)’s Unson Baliwan and the couple Paolo and Narcisa Baculodan.

The three fled before the raiding team arrived.

Duquiatan said the operating team that included troops from Kabacan police and the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade served the warrants about 4 a.m. Monday against Baliwan and the Baculodan couple.

Baliwan, also known as Commander Omerta, is an MILF official based in Kabacan.

“(But t)hey fled even before the operating units could reach  their homes,” Duquiatan said in a statement.

Seized from the house of Commander Omega were seven sachets of suspected shabu worth P40,800.

Another 45 small sachets of suspected shabu, valued at P47,600, were seized from the house of the Baculodan couple believed to be supplying prohibited drugs in Kabacan and in North Cotabato.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 will be filed against the suspects who remained at large. /lzb