Manhunt launched vs Sarangani village exec tagged in drug trade

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--Authorities have launched a manhunt against a barangay chairman in Kiamba town, Sarangani Province after eluding arrest in an anti-drug operation on Tuesday.

Joni Ress Layso, spokesperson of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 12, said Friday police and other law enforcement units are now tracking down Barangay Tambilil chair Latip Mingkat, who just assumed his post on July 1.

Joint operatives from PDEA-12 and the Sarangani police recovered a gram of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth  P7,000 in a raid on Mingkat’s residence in Tambilil, Layso said.

Mingkat was not around during the operation, and was formally charged on Wednesday with violation of Section 11 or possession of dangerous drugs, under Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Citing intelligence reports, Layso said Mingkat was involved in the illegal drug trade in the area and considered a high-value target.

The agency has been investigating the suspect’s alleged links to illegal drug groups that are operating in the province.

“He is included on the priority target list of the Sarangani police and our watchlist,” the PDEA-12 told reporters.

Mingkat earlier took his oath and assumed as the newly-elected chair of Barangay Tambilil despite losing the final vote count in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

The top vote-getter, reelectionist chair Reynardo Amador, was killed in an ambush in front of his home two weeks before the polls.

Amador’s family failed to field a substitute candidate, resulting in the proclamation of Mingkat as the winner. (PNA)