Six-hour standoff mars drug sting in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A drug sting in San Andres Bukid, Manila, turned into a six-hour standoff between the police and the suspects’ relatives and neighbors who claimed that the arrest was illegal.

Operatives of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 conducted on Friday an entrapment operation against suspected drug peddlers, Saadudin Alawiya and Abdullah Maute, both in the MPD drug watch list.

A poseur buyer reportedly bought a plastic sachet of illegal drugs from the suspects at their home on Amatista Street, San Andres Bukid.

“Shabu” (crystal meth) weighing 38 grams worth P258,000 were seized from the suspects, the report added. But during the arrest, the suspects’ relatives and bystanders tried to prevent arrest of the suspects.

—Nikka G. Valenzuela