A former local government employee in Maguindanao and his companion, both former drug personalities who surrendered to authorities in 2019, were arrested during a drug sting, an official said Monday.
Director Rogelito Daculla of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) identified the suspects as Tapia Malingco, 41; and Jhon Jickery Malingco Ayunan, 29; both of Pagalungan, Maguindanao.
Daculla said the two were arrested after they sold shabu to a PDEA agent disguised as a buyer at 5 p.m. Sunday inBarangay Poblacion, Pagalungan.
“Tapia, a former LGU employee, and Ayunan, both voluntarily surrendered to authorities due to their involvement in illegal drugs some two years ago,” Daculla said.
Seized from them were PHP102,000 worth of shabu, the buy-bust money, identification cards, two mobile phones, a Tomahawk shotgun, a magazine assembly, three pieces of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition, and a wallet.
The suspects were charged with the violation of Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 200) and R.A. 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act).
The arrest of Malingco and Ayunan came after the June 9 anti-drug operation in Maguing, Lanao del Sur, which also led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of over PHP10 million worth of shabu drugs.
Arrested in the operation were Faiza Hadjiraof, and couple Amersab Ebra Macabato and Raifa Hadji Rasul Rakim, all of Maguing town.
Source: Philippines News Agency