Woman, 4 relatives held for drugs, explosives in Maguindanao

PARANG, Maguindanao–A 55-year-old woman and four of her relatives were arrested following an anti-drug operation in Barangay GT Biruar here on Monday, police reported on Tuesday.

The raiding team seized several sachets of shabu, firearms, such as an M16 rifle, and explosives from the house of Tarhata Talipasan in Sitio Talipasan, said acting Maguindanao police director Senior Supt. Edwin Wagan.

Also arrested were Esmael Sapal Panaliente, 25; Dema Edzel Maguid, 32; Sukarno Ditaya Mindo, 36; and Abdulhamid Odin Paido, 49, all of Sitio Talipasan, Barangay GT Biruar, Wagan said.

A sixth suspect managed to elude arrest.

Wagan said they had been monitoring the suspects since last week and when information was verified, the search was conducted.

Talipasan denied she peddled illegal drugs.

The arrested suspects were now being detained at the local police office and charges for violation of the anti-drugs and the firearms and explosives laws were being prepared against them.