Maute 'fundraiser' yields P6.8-M shabu in Lanao Sur

COTABATO CITY – An alleged fundraiser of the Maute terror organization was arrested by anti-narcotic operatives during an anti-drug sting operation in Wao, Lanao del Sur on Thursday and seized some PHP6.8-million worth of illegal drugs.

Juvenal Azurin, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, identified the suspect as Amarodin Allan Bantog who has four aliases based on identification cards seized from him that all bore his photo.

Bantog was believed to be peddling illegal drugs for the terrorist organization still fighting the government in Lanao del Sur.

Azurin said Banto carries the following aliases: Amroden Skak Bantog, Said Macarampat Gandawali, Amroden Iskak Bantog, and Datu.

“Bantog, who is 34-years-old and resident of Barangay Bumiga, Malabang, Lanao Del Sur, is a PDEA high-value target,” Azurin said.

Seized from the suspect was an eco-bag Bantog containing some 1,000 grams of shabu with an estimated market value of PHP6.8 million, the buy-bust money made of fake P1,000-peso bills in a plastic bag, shabu paraphernalia, assorted identification cards, and mobile phones.

Azurin said the shabu was repacked into small pieces of plastic packs while the supposed buy-bust money was placed in a black paper bag that contained one original PHP1,000 bill and 17 bundles of fake PHP1,000 bills which PDEA described as “boodle money.”

A PDEA confidential agent acted as a buyer of the shabu and they agreed to have an exchange at 1:30 p.m. along Purok 4, Barangay Easter in Wao, particularly in front of the Western Pilot Elementary School.

Bantog is now at the PDEA-ARMM custodial facility in Cotabato City while charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 are being prepared against him. (PNA)