AN INCUMBENT village chief in Lanao del Sur and another man were arrested after they were found possessing illegal drugs during a security check by the Martial Law Special Action Group (MLSAG) in Opol, Misamis Oriental, on Thursday, July 13.
Authorities arrested Abbas Rasuman, incumbent chairman of one of the villages in Lumba-Bayabao town, and Bantogaranao Domalondong at Vamenta subdivision in Barangay Barra.
The MLSAG caught the two drug suspects possessing some 5 grams of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as "shabu," worth about P35,000.
Operatives recovered drug paraphernalia, cellphones, and the village chief's Toyota Hi-lux vehicle.
Opol town police chief Randy Anito said the security check was in response to reports from concerned citizens that suspicious personalities are passing themselves off as home-based evacuees in the subdivision and that there are members of the Maute terror group.
"Gihimo ang security check para once and for all masusi ang area kay basi sa reports daghan na kaayo evacuees ug samok na unya naa pud reports nga naa daw membro sa Maute pero during sa pagsusi walay naaresto nga membro sa terror group (We conducted a security check to inspect the area, because there were reports that there are many evacuees and that there are members of the Maute group. But during the inspection, no member of the terror group was arrested)," Anito added.
"Dili tanan balay atong gisusi kay pirti mana kadaghan kato lang basi sa information nga atong nadawat (We did not inspect all the houses, because there are too many of them. Only those that were reported)," Anito said.
Anito said the two were turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Northern Mindanao that will handle the filing of drug charges.
The town's police chief said the people need not worry as the security procedure is part of ensuring the safety of residents.
"Sa katawhan dili lang ta mahadlok kay kini tanan gihimo sa mga otoridad para security ug safety sa atoa (The public has nothing to worry about, because we are doing this for their security and safety)," Anito said.
He said there were information that alleged wounded terrorists took refuge in the subdivision right after the Marawi siege erupted last May 23, but there was no confirmation from any government authorities.