Maute drug suspect, 2 high-value targets slain

MANILA, Philippines — Another drug trafficker with alleged links to Maute militants was killed in a police operation in Lanao del Sur on Friday.

Police said two other  large-scale drug dealers were slain in a drug bust in Nueva Ecija on Thursday night.

The Lanao del Sur police said Caharodin Abocadama resisted arrest and fired at law enforcers in Barangay Banday, Malabang.

Senior Superintendent Madzgani Mukaram, provincial police director, said the operation was carried out with the help of local officials and villagers who provided information on Abocadama’s location.

The fatality reportedly remitted the proceeds of his drug deals to Owaida Marohombsar, also known as Abu Dar, the new leader of the Maute group.

On Wednesday, Mamintal Manan, who also allegedly helped fund the operations of Maute terrorists through drug trafficking, was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers in a drug sting in Barangay Pugaan, Ditsaan Ramain.

In Nueva Ecija, police said Fernando Lopez, alias Intsik,  and George Niño Casipe shot it out with police officers in Barangay Abar First, San Jose City.

Police said sachets of shabu and the guns used by the slain suspects were  recovered.

Superintendent Heryl Bruno, city police chief, said the fatalities were with a drug ring operating in Central Luzon and Metro Manila.

In Sultan Kudarat, businessman Ricky Santillan was apprehended at his residence in Barangay Saliao, Esperanza yesterday for illegal drugs and possession of an unlicensed gun.

The arrest was based on a warrant issued by Judge Jose Edgar Sinangote.

The suspect reportedly yielded sachets of shabu and an unlicensed gun. – With Raymund Catindig