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Abu Sayyaf 'member' killed, 3 others nabbed in anti-drug ops

By Teofilo Garcia, Jr.

June 10, 2020, 2:52 pm

<p><strong>KILLED.</strong> An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group was killed while two of his companions arrested in an anti-drug operation Sunday (June 7, 2020) in Barangay Tubig Basag, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Some PHP340,000 worth of suspected shabu, a .45-caliber pistol with ammunition, marked money, and illegal drug paraphernalia were seized during the anti-drug operation. <em>(Photo from Facebook of PDEA-9)</em></p>

KILLED. An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group was killed while two of his companions arrested in an anti-drug operation Sunday (June 7, 2020) in Barangay Tubig Basag, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. Some PHP340,000 worth of suspected shabu, a .45-caliber pistol with ammunition, marked money, and illegal drug paraphernalia were seized during the anti-drug operation. (Photo from Facebook of PDEA-9)

ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An alleged member of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) was killed while three others arrested in separate anti-drug operations in Tawi-Tawi and Zamboanga Sibugay provinces, an official said Wednesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 9 (PDEA-9) Director Emerson Margate, identified the slain ASG member as Bensal Aradi, and the arrested individuals as Mahmud Ainal, 42; Najil Sangkula, 35; and, Madal Ladang.

In a report to PDEA Director-General Wilkins Villanueva, Margate said Aradi was killed in a shootout during an anti-drug operation around 4:30 p.m. Sunday in Barangay Tubig Basag, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

Margate said the shootout broke out after Aradi opened fire and prompted the authorities to return fire, killing the alleged ASG member.

He said Ainal of Sangkula, who was with Aradi during the buy-bust operation, was arrested by the joint operatives of PDEA, police, and the military.

He said the joint operatives have recovered some 50 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated market value of P340,000, one .45-caliber pistol with live ammunition, drug paraphernalia, and marked money.

The PDEA-9 director said Ladang was arrested in another buy-bust operation around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Purok Orchids, Barangay FL Peña, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay.

Margate said confiscated from Ladang were some PHP13,600 worth of suspected shabu, a tricycle, and marked money.

Margate said appropriate charges for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 will be filed against the arrested suspects. (PNA)

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