ILIGAN CITY -- Three drug suspects were killed while four of their cohorts were arrested in a buy bust operation jointly conducted by the police and military in Barangay Demarao, Bacolod town in Lanao del Norte.
Provincial Police Information Officer Maj. Salman M. Saad identified the slain suspects as Ali M. Ampaso alias ‘’Tarmamak,” Jamel Aminodin, and Gona M. Balowa. Arrested were Saide Arope Balowa, Renandang Batalo Balowa, Sabania Macatimbol Angni, and Abdul Rahim Manalo Demate, all residents of Brgy. Demarao, Bacolod, Lanao del Norte.
Recovered from the suspects were 49 pieces of heat-sealed small transparent plastic sachets containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu with a total estimated weight of 0.791 grams and worth of 5,378.80, a variety of illegal drugs paraphernalias, one unit Caliber 38 Revolver, two units caliber 45 pistol, one unit hand grenade fragmentary M84, steel magazines, fired cartridges, and live ammunitions of caliber .38, .45 and 9mm. .
The three slain suspects engaged authorities in a firefight which resulted in their untimely death. They were declared dead on arrival at Kauswagan Provincial Hospital, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
Confiscated drug items were brought to Provincial Crime Laboratory, Tubod Lanao del Norte for quantitative and qualitative examination, while the appropriate cases are being prepared in violation of Article 148, “Direct Assault,” R.A 9165, and R.A 9516 against the suspects.
Joint operating troops in the drug bust included elements of the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU), LDN PPO, Bacolod MPS, RDEU 10, PDEU LDN PPO, 1st PMFC, 2nd PMFC LDN PPO, 1005th MC, RMFC 10, and the 52nd Mechanized Infantry Company of the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion PA based in Bacolod.
Provincial Police Office, Officer-in-charge Col. Rolindo M. Suguilon commended the operating personnel and encouraged them to continue their serious commitment in the massive campaign against illegal drugs and wanted persons in the province.