Army vows full support to PNP operation vs drug lords in Maguindanao, North Cotabato

From the Philippine News Agency (Nov 21): Army vows full support to PNP operation vs drug lords in Maguindanao, North Cotabato

The military will continue hunting down persons involved in illegal drugs in Maguindanao and North Cotabato following the signing of Joint Letter of Instruction (JLOI) between the military and the police.

Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez, 6th Infantry Division commander, said the JLOI calls for the joint implementation of Oplan Double Barrel Alpha, the second phase of the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“We will continue our counter-drug operations in Talitay (Maguindanao) with the PNP and LGUs until we completely dismantle the biggest operational base and distribution hub in Central Mindanao,” Galvez said in a statement.

On Friday, joint police, military and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) simultaneously raided the houses of Mayor Montasir Sabal of Talitay, Maguindanao, Vice Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal, also of Talitay, Regional Legislative Assemblyman Sidik Ameril and a town councilor related by blood to the Sabals.

Seven sachets of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and three high powered guns were seized during the raid.

But all the subjects of 12 search warrants issued by Judge Bansawan Ibrahim of Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 13 were not in their homes.

Sabal has not been seen in town since August 7 after he and his brother, Vice Mayor Sabal were named by President Duterte as among the "narcopoliticians" in Maguindanao.

Vice Mayor Sabal is currently detained in Camp Crame after he was arrested for illegal gun possession and improvised explosive devices.

During the raid, government forces arrested Hector Suhali, allegedly the hit man of Mayor Sabal.
Suhali was inside the house of Mayor Sabal when the raid was conducted. An M-16 Armalite rifle was taken from him.

CIDG-ARMM Deputy Director William Santos said Suhali denied he was a hit man and claimed that he was an ordinary caretaker and carpenter of Mayor Sabal.

But Santos insisted CIDG have enough evidences that Suhali was the mayor’s hit man. Also arrest was Ambari Ental, one of Sabal’s aides.

Galvez said the Army will provide full assistance, manpower and resources to the police implementing Oplan Double Barrel Alpha.

“We have the support of the people and we will not stop until those involved in the illegal drug trade are punished and put to jail,” Galvez said.

“Change is coming to Talitay. Talitay will be a crime-free/drug-free area in the coming days,” he added.

To ensure government services continue in Talitay, ARMM Regional Gov. Mujiv Hataman is set to suspend Mayor Sabal and his brother since they have been on absence without official leave.

Hataman directed the ARMM department of Interior and Local Government office to attend to the appointment of caretaker officials so that government services are rendered to the people of Talitay.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=941933