A DRUG suspect was wounded in a shootout while five others were arrested in two separate anti-drug operations in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Sulu, the police reported Friday, August 4, 2023.
Injured in a shootout was Samanodin Pangalan, a resident of East Kilikili village in Wao town, Lanao del Sur, said Police Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) director.
Nobleza said that Pangalan’s cohorts identified as Jamil Base and Norma Macalaba were arrested during the anti-drug operation around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, at Purok 6 in East Kilikili village, Wao.
Nobleza said the shootout ensued as the suspects opened fire, but missed, upon sensing they were transacting illegal drugs to an undercover policeman.
The operatives have returned fire hitting Pangalan. He was brought to the hospital for treatment.
Nobleza said Base and Macalaba were arrested by the joint team of policemen, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and soldiers.
He said seized from the three suspects were some 15 grams of suspected shabu worth P102,000, a magnum .357 revolver with six ammunition, P3,650 cash in different denominations, a cellular phone, assorted identification cards, and illegal drug paraphernalia.
Arrested on Wednesday evening, August 2, at Street 10 in San Raymundo village, Jolo, Sulu were Badarwin Abdulla, 55, a beautician; Hamja Ramos, 22; and, Alexander Maldisa, 18, a student.
Nobleza said the suspects were arrested by policemen who responded to a report that illegal drug activity was taking place along Street 10 in San Raymundo village.
He said confiscated from the three suspects were suspected shabu worth P680, five grams of dried marijuana leaves worth P1,000, illegal drug paraphernalia, and P333 cash in different denominations believed to be a drug proceeds.
Meanwhile, Nobleza expressed his high regard to the hard work and dedication displayed by the operating troops and reiterated that PRO-BAR will take consistent actions against drug peddlers to keep the community free from the scourge of drug menace. (SunStar Zamboanga)