Notorious South Cotabato illegal drugs suspect arrested

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The South Cotabato police arrested an suspected big time drug pusher who is listed among the top most wanted persons in the province.

Sr. Insp. Timothy Arciso Jr., chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-South Cotabato, identified the suspect as Usmenia Ugalingan Ambalgan, 39, a resident of Barangay Ambalgan, Sto. Nino town in South Cotabato.

He said the suspect, who is the most wanted person in Sto. Nino town and number six in the province, was nabbed in an operation in Banga town on Tuesday night.

“He is considered a notorious and big time drug pusher, and is included in our drug watch list,” Arciso said.

The operation was joined by elements of the Banga municipal police station led by its acting head, Chief Insp. Marvin Duadua.

Arciso said the suspect’s arrest is part of the implementation in the province of the Philippine National Police’s operation plan or Oplan Pagtugis and Oplan Salikop.

Ambalgan was nabbed based on a standing warrant of arrest issued by Judge Roberto Ayco of the Regional Trial Court Branch 26 in Surallah town.

He is facing charges for violation of Section 11 or possession of dangerous drugs, Article II of Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, with no bail bond recommended.

Arciso said they have been tracking down the movements of the suspect, who is allegedly a part of a syndicate responsible for the proliferation of metamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu in their locality and other parts of Region 12.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy AvanceFuentes, who chairs the Provincial Anti- Drug Abuse Council ( PADAC), lauded the police for arresting Ambalgan.

She urged local police units to continue with their intensified anti- drug operations and cleanse the province of the illegal drug menace.

The governor said the local government has allocated additional funds this year for the incentives of local police units and operatives for successful anti-drug operations.(PNA)