2 Moro drug lords hide in MILF territory

From the Philippine Star (Sep 21): 2 Moro drug lords hide in MILF territory             

Authorities are constrained from neutralizing two large-scale drug lords in nearby Maguindanao province by the proximity of their lairs to a camp of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Relatives on Wednesday told The STAR Taipeh and Wang, whom they described as “big fishes,” have confined themselves in Barangay Kabuling at the border of Pandag and Paglas towns after President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office on June 30, but persisted with their drug trafficking nonetheless.

Barangay Kabuling is a recognized enclave of the MILF, covered by its July 9, 1997 Agreement on General Cessation of Hostilities with Malacañang.

Relatives of two Moro drug traffickers killed last month in a police raid in Tacurong City said they are certain the MILF central committee is unaware of how Taipeh and Wang have both been boasting of immunity from arrest owing to their being residents of a barangay covered by the interim security pact.

“Since they are in Barangay Kabuling, the police and the military cannot simply go there and arrest them,” said Taipeh’s uncle, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Barangay officials in nearby Tulunan town in North Cotabato said Taipeh and Wang are the key suppliers of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in their municipality.

http://www.philstar.com/nation/2016/09/21/1625976/2-moro-drug-lords-hide-milf-territory