AFP, law enforcers seize firearms, capture members of drug syndicates in Maguindanao

By Jong Cadion

Zamboanga City (December 30, 2016)- Joint law enforcement operations launched by the military and law enforcement agencies on Wednesday morning yielded to the arrest of several members of drug syndicates, including two leaders, and the seizure of high-powered firearms and drug paraphernalia in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao, military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Spokesperson Major Filemon Tan Jr. disclosed that combined operatives of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Lauro Oliveros and the 1st Mechanized Brigade, Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army led by Colonel Felicisimo Budiongan; the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency- Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM); and the Philippine National Police Datu Odin Sinsuat served the search warrants against Aya Balabaran, alias Commander Biente, in Barangay Kusiong, Datu Odin Sinsuat, and Lamie Mamasabakulod, alias Commander Lawin, the barangay kagawad of Tabian, Datu Odin Sinsuat.

Tan also said that the operation in Kusiong led to the arrest of Balabaran and the recovery of two (2) pieces of large heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets and seven (7) pieces of small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected shabu, weighing more or less 51 grams. Also nabbed was Normina Abdula Tampugao with 259 pieces of small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets believed to be shabu.

Troops also recovered one (1) M16 Rifle attached with M203 GL, two (2) M16, three (3) M14 Rifle, four (4) 45 cal. pistol, one (1) improvised pistol shotgun, two (2) 40MM M79 rifle grenades, assorted magazines and ammunition.

Tan added that the operation in Tapian, Datu Odin Sinsuat also resulted in the arrest of Mamasabakulod and Almendras Sanday Mama, Jr. Recovered from their possession were six (6) pieces of heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspect shabu, weighing more or less 50 grams, one (1) BAR, one (1) M16, one (1) cal. 45 pistol, assorted magazines, ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. Seven suspected drug users were also nabbed during the said operation.

All arrested persons are currently in the custody of the PDEA Regional Office ARMM

Said successful operations were made possible through the collective efforts of the 6th Infantry Division, the PDEA, and the police in the province.

The military continues to assist the police and other law enforcement agencies in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in Central Mindanao.