ZAMBOANGA CITY (MindaNews/18 April) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has filed Wednesday charges against six guns for hire, including three militiamen, who were arrested in a failed attempt to rescue of a suspected drug ring leader who was being brought to court.
PDEA Regional Director Adzhar Albani said that the cases they filed before the city prosecutor’s office include illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of explosive and violation of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The militiamen involved were identified as Salam Usni, 34; Abraham Mohammad, 35; and Alan Sanong, 44. The rest of the suspects are Wally Alama, 42; Mahamud Mahadali, 32; and Lali Alama.
Albani said they were arrested around 9:30 a.m. Monday in the vicinity of the Hall of Justice in Barangay Sta. Barbara when they tried to rescue Nadzul Alih, an alleged drug ring leader operating in this city.
He said they have confiscated from the six respondents three M-14 rifles, three pistols, a hand grenade, and a heat-sealed plastic sachet containing white crystalline substance believed to be shabu.
Albani and his men were transporting Alih to present him to the court when the respondents’ car blocked the path of the PDEA vehicles while they were about to enter the Hall of Justice compound.
The PDEA agents jumped out of their vehicles and surrounded the suspects’ car and arrested them.
Alih was arrested by PDEA agents at an eatery around 9:12 p.m. last Friday on the strength of a warrant of arrest for violation of Section 5 and Section 11, Article II of R.A. 9165.
Alih is allegedly the leader of Alih Drug Group operating in Barangay Recodo, 15 kilometers west of this city, Albani said. (MindaNews)
