KIDAPAWAN CITY – Two village councilmen in M’lang, North Cotabato, both linked to illegal drug-peddling and for possession of explosives, eluded arrest during separate pre-dawn law enforcement operations Saturday.
The two village officials, identified as Esmael Entam, 34, and Wahab Dimapindig, 40, both village councilors of Barangay Dugong, M’lang, were not in their homes when police simultaneously carried out the 3:30 a.m. raids.
Police, however, seized a hand grenade from Entam’s house, while two sachets of shabu and paraphernalia were recovered from Dimapindig’s place.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, police director for Region 12 (Soccsksargen), said the raiding team, backed by elements of the Army’s 7th Infantry Battalion, was armed with search warrants issued against the suspects by Judge Alandrex Betoya of Regional Trial Court Branch 16 for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the anti-drug law and RA 10591 or illegal possession of explosives.
“The police will not rest until the two village officials are arrested,” Rasco said.
He urged the public to alert police once the two officials are seen in the village. (PNA)
