Suspected drug dealer slain, 4 nabbed in Lanao del Sur

ILIGAN CITY–A suspected drug dealer was killed while four other drug personalities were arrested during a joint operation involving Army soldiers, policemen and agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea) in Barangay Pindolonan in Ganassi, Lanao del Sur on Friday.

Max Diangka had fired on the raiding team, forcing them to return fire and kill him, Maj. Ronald Suscano, public affairs chief of the 1st Infantry Division, said Saturday.

Arrested were Ramon Diangka, Alinair Aminola, Emil Merda, and Jalalodin Diangka. It was not immediately determined how the two other Diangkas were related to the slain suspect.

Recovered from the scene of the operation were 37 sachets of shabu, three caliber .45 pistols with live ammunition, an M16 rifle, three caliber .38 revolvers, assorted drug paraphernalia, identification cards, and cellular phones, Suscano said.

The operation succeeded because of the help of the community, Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Valdez IV, commander the Army’s 55th Infantry Battalion, said.

The military would continue to assist law enforcement agencies in Lanao, especially against drugs and illegal firearms, Major General Roseller Murillo, commander of the Joint Task Force Ranao, said.