MANILA– Troops engaged in clearing Marawi City of the remaining Maute Group members recovered 11 kilograms of shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP110 million to PHP250 million, and four high-powered weapons early evening Sunday.
This was based on reports by 1st Infantry Division commander Brig. Gen. Rolando Bautista forwarded by the military’s 4th Civil Relations Group Monday.
The illegal drugs and four high-powered weapons were recovered by troopers of the 49th Infantry Battalion led by 1st Lt. Emerson Tapang during clearing operations Sunday.
Soldiers spotted men in black emerging from a cluster of houses that prompted troops to maneuver. The terrorists put up a fight but fled while carrying items taken from one of the houses.
The estimated street value of the seized high-grade shabu is between PHP110 million to PHP250 million.
It may be recalled that numerous sachets of shabu were recovered by troops in the fighting positions of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf terror group since the first and second week of the Marawi siege.
Troops in the frontlines stated that they are facing drug crazed individuals in the ongoing battles.
Bautista also scored the terrorists for their continued use of mosques as battle positions and the use of illegal drugs.
“We condemn the acts of the Maute/ASG in using Mosques as battle positions as we deplore their use of illegal drugs that is equally evil as both are un-Islamic,” he added. PRIAM NEPOMUCENO/PNA -northboundasia.com