Joint gov’t, MILF anti-drug operation leads to arrest of 13

MANILA, Philippines – At least 13 men believed to be members of an armed group involved in the drug trade in North Cotabato were arrested in a joint anti-drug operation conducted by the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) from October 5 to 11.

Those arrested were “henchmen” of Samad Masgal alias Commander Madrox, according to a press statement from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) released Saturday, October 15.

In August, at least 4 of his followers also died during a similar operation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the MILF.

Those arrested this October were turned over recently by the AFP 602nd Infantry Brigade as well as elements of the MILF Central Mindanao Front to the Philippine National Police in the provincial police office of Cotabato, as witnessed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Soccsksargen.

The 13 who have outstanding warrants of arrest are as follows:

• Ali Masgal Buat
• Guiamalodin Kalay Palakad
• Guiama Milikano y Masgal
• Mandag Mamalinta y Mamao
• Nandi Pagao y Sinangkad
• Taokie Habip Lumilis
• Kenny Gumbila Dima
• Ronnie Ferrer Catulogn
• Morem Masgal Milicano
• Omar Masgal Angking
• Sari Alim Lumilis
• Mantoa Amal Gombila
• Tiyabong Mamalinta

Commander Madrox, meanwhile, remains at large.

“[T]he fight against illegal drugs transcends all affiliations and it even unites people with diverse backgrounds,” said PDEA Soccsksargen Regional Director Lyndon Aspacio.

“We are very delighted that the coming together of the PNP, the AFP, and the addition of the MILF among our allies against illegal drugs is becoming a reality,” he said in Filipino.

The joint operation was conducted in the areas of Nabalawag, Kapinpilan, and Kadingilan in Midsayap, North Cotabato.

The joint Government of the Philippines (GPH)-MILF Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) as well as the Ad Hoc Joint Action Group (AHJAG) coordinated with authorities for the joint operation “since it was conducted in areas with strong MILF presence.”

During the operation, authorities recovered the following:

• two grenade launchers
• two M16 rifles
• an M14 rifle
• a homemade shotgun
• a .30-caliber Garan rifle
• a homemade .50-caliber sniper rifle
• one rocket propelled grenade launcher ammunition
• two fragmention grenades alongside a handful of short firearms
• a number of shabu-containing heat-sealed sachet packs
• other drug paraphernalia

In July, the CCCH and AHJAC signed an agreement of cooperation and coordination concerning the campaign against illegal drugs in MILF-controlled areas.

Among others, the agreement covers:

• information exchange/sharing which includes, but is not limited to the submission of the MILF of a list of drug personalities identified in its area, subject to validation of the law enforcement agencies
• allowing the MILF to conduct an information drive on the ill-effects of illegal drugs in the MILF affected areas as part of its demand reduction activities

– Rappler.com