ZAMBOANGA CITY – Security forces killed a suspected drug dealer and arrested two others in separate operations in Tawi-Tawi, one of five provinces under the Muslim autonomous region, officials said Wednesday.
Brig. Gen. Eden Ugale, chief of the regional police force, said Almorsid Sintaan Allian, 41; and Diana Asula Allian, 33, were arrested on Tuesday for selling crystal meth in the capital town of Bongao.
He said patrolling policemen led by Maj. Annidul Sali received a tip-off from a civilian that the suspects were selling drugs in the village of Lamion and quickly proceeded to the area and caught the duo in flagrante. “Major Annidul Sali answered a call from a concerned citizen reporting about an on-going drug peddling at the vicinity of Lamion and arrested the suspects,” Ugale said.
Policemen seized some 16.25 grams of crystal meth worth over P110,000 from the duo.
The twin arrest came a day after policemen, backed by soldiers, clashed with a suspected drug dealer Samsuddin Sangkahan, in the village called Datu Baguinda Putih in the town of Sitangkai.
Security forces were trying to arrest Sangkahan when he opened fire on the lawmen serving a warrant that sparked a firefight, according to Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario, Jr., chief of the military’s Western Mindanao Command.
Rosario, quoting a report by Col. Romeo Racadio, commander of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi, said “the target resisted arrest and initiated gunfire against the operating troops. A brief exchange of fire ensued, yielding to the neutralization of Sangkahan.”
He said there was no report of casualties from the government side, adding soldiers recovered the suspect’s .45-caliber pistol and a magazine loaded with ammunition. The body of the slain gunman was handed over to his family.
“Congratulations to the troops of Joint Task Force Tawi-Tawi and the police for this success. Rest assured that the Western Mindanao Command will continue to render support to our partners in order to curb illegal drugs operations and other lawless activities,” Rosario said. (Mindanao Examiner)
No comments:
Post a Comment