PDEA-ARMM anti-drug op: 3 MILF members, 3 others arrested

COTABATO CITY– Three members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and three other alleged drug peddlers were arrested during anti-illegal drugs operation in Wao, Lanao del Sur, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said Friday.

Agents of PDEA in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Wao town police and elements of the Army’s 34th Infantry Battalion were to serve six search warrants in the village of Kili-kili against three MILF members and three other drug suspects.

Juvenal Azurin, PDEA-ARMM regional director, identified the arrested persons as Tangurak Panarangin, Abul Batong-Gara and Olomodin Tubigan, all members of the MILF; and Baisah Ali, Esmael Antar and Kasanor Balangitaw, all residents of Barangay Kili-Kili, Wao town.

“The three MILF members were listed as high value targets, they were unarmed and did not resist arrest,” Azurin said even as he lauded the support provided by the local officials of Wao.

Authorities said the three had identification cards showing they belonged to the MILF, a rebel movement that signed peace with the government in 2014.

The raiding team seized from the suspects about 35 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with an estimated street value of P288,000, and other drug paraphernalia.

In previous pronouncements, the MILF had declared it is against the use, sale, and possession of illegal drugs since this is “haram” (prohibited) in Islam.

The suspects were detained at the PDEA-ARMMM, and would be facing charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.            /kga