Drug war nets MILF member, wife

PDEA Director Aaron Aquino (File photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)

Government anti-drug operatives have arrested a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and his wife during a drug raid in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.

Aaron Aquino, director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), identified the suspects as MILF member Maguid Taug Abdul and his wife Saguira Bali Usman.

In a statement on Monday, the PDEA disclosed that the two were “responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in Pagadian City and nearby towns in Maguindanao.”

Abdul and Usman were arrested by joint elements of PDEA Regional Office ARMM, 90th Infantry Battalion of the 6th Infantry Division, Maguindanao Police Provincial Office-Provincial Intelligence Branch  and local police in Poblacion Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao on May 3, Thursday.

The PDEA said 13 pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet of suspected shabu, weighing more or less 22.8 grams, with an estimated value of Php149,600.00, were seized from the suspects’ possession.

Aside from the suspected shabu, also confiscated from the suspects were one Federal caliber 45 pistol, one caliber 45 holster, one caliber 45 magazine assembly, two rounds of caliber 45 live ammunition, two mobile phones, two identification cards, and cash amounting to P770.

“The suspects will be charged for violation of Article II of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and violation of RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Act),” the PDEA said./ac