NABBED. The three cops from Marantao, Lanao del Sur suspected of peddling drugs were arrested during an entrapment operation in Parang, Maguindanao on Wednesday (Oct. 23, 2019). Recovered from the suspects were 50 grams of suspect shabu with an estimated street value of PHP340,000; mobile phones, an M16 rifle, five handguns, vehicle license plates, and a red Toyota Innova vehicle used in illegal transactions. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-BARMM)
COTABATO CITY - Anti-narcotic agents arrested three rogue cops during a drug buy-bust operation in Parang, Maguindanao on Oct. 30.
Juvenal Azurin, director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency–Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-BARMM), identified those arrested as Patrolman Sandiali Mangundacan Manalao, Staff Sgt. Fahmi Bangon Como, and Master Sgt. Monjel Nassal Aradais, all of the police force in Marantao, Lanao del Sur.
The three were nabbed while transacting with a poseur-buyer in Barangay Nituan of Parang town around 8:30 a.m.
Seized from the suspects were 50 grams of suspect shabu with an estimated street value of PHP340,000; mobile phones, an M16 rifle, five handguns of various calibers, vehicle license plates, and a red Toyota Innova vehicle used in illegal transactions.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) are readied against the suspects.
The PDEA operation in Parang town came a day after a policeman was killed while another was wounded in a shootout Tuesday with a wanted drug dealer in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur.
A police team led by Col. Madzgani Mukaram, chief of the Lanao del Sur provincial police office, was forced to shoot it out with suspect Abdullah Taurac at his home in Barangay Lilod, Marawi City on Tuesday. Wounded were Sergeants Reagan Salbino and Mohaimen Urandig in the ensuing gun battle.
Taurac was killed while both cops were rushed to the Amai Pakpak Hospital in Marawi City, where Salbino expired while undergoing treatment.
Urandang, on the other hand, is currently recuperating from a gunshot wound in the arm.
Recovered from Taurac’s hideout were two handguns, several sachets of shabu, and a fragmentation grenade.
Six other relatives of Taurac who were inside the house at the time of the incident were invited for questioning by the police. (PNA)
