2 drug suspects slain in stings

MANILA, Philippines - Two more drug suspects have been added to the list of those killed in police operations.

Henry Belgar, alias Putol, allegedly shot it out with policemen who posed as buyers of shabu in Barangay Iraya Norte in Oas, Albay on Wednesday.

Police said the fatality was ranked third on the drug watchlist of Albay and third in Oas town.

Totoh Jama Muhalam fired at anti-drug operatives in Sitio Campong Landang in Zamboanga City at around 1:45 a.m. yesterday, said Superintendent Nonito Asdai, Station 6 commander.

Asdai said Muhalam, who was previously arrested for possession of illegal drugs, was released on Oct. 16.

Meanwhile, nine other suspected drug personalities were arrested in stings in Zamboanga City also yesterday.

In Camarines Sur, Sammy Chua, 45, was collared in a cockpit in Barangay Hanawan in Ocampo town on Wednesday. His arrest was based on a warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 38 Judge Roberto Escaro.

Sajarah Macaalin, 29, and Saidamin Masanggila, 26, were nabbed during an anti-drug operation in Barangay Gubat in Daet, Camarines Norte.  

Sachets of shabu, marked money and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the suspects.

Odicta drug ring

Four alleged members of the Odicta drug ring in Western Visayas were arrested during a raid on the house of its slain leader Melvin Odicta in Barangay Malipayon in Iloilo City on Wednesday.

Among those arrested wereMelvin’s brothers Daryl and Michael and their legal counsel Marbehn Lumbo.

Several guns as well as ammunition, a hand grenade, three sacks of a still undetermined chemical, 19 sachets of shabu, P344,000 in cash, a handheld radio and a checkbook were recovered from the suspects.

In Zamboanga del Sur, Pahad Modapil Tantong, alias Paki, was arrested in a police operation in Barangay Sambulawan in Dinas town at around 3 p.m. also on Wednesday.

Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, Zamboanga peninsula police director, said Tantong is the seventh most wanted drug suspect in Zamboanga del Sur. Tantong is also a member of the Ambol criminal gang and a suspect in the killing of 2nd Lt. Joseph Cartagena and wounding of two other soldiers in an ambush on Nov. 21.

Tantong’s arrest was based on a warrant issued by a local court. – Francis Elevado, Roel Pareño, Jennifer Rendon