Army to tap MILF to go after fugitive suspected drug lord

MAGUINDANAO — The military will again tap the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to help locate an alleged drug lord who escaped from a raid and wounded three soldiers in a gunfight Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Markton Abo, spokesperson of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, said Friday that the 601st Infantry Brigade has been ordered to enlist the help of local MILF commanders to find Mayogantong Bansil, who is wanted for large-scale drug trafficking.

Bansil fled from his hideout northwest of General S.K. Pendatun town after the raid on Thursday.

The 601st Infantry Brigade operates in General S.K. Pendatun and in neighboring towns in the adjoining Maguindanao and Sultan Kudarat provinces.

Soldiers killed two of Bansil's men who fired at an arresting team sent to serve a warrant on the suspected drug lord.

Lieutenant Colonel Ricky Bunayog of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion told The STAR noontime Thursday three of his men, who provided tactical support to the policemen who raided Bansil's hideout, were wounded in a gunfight during the raid.

“Local policemen aided by personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group were to arrest him (Bansil) but they resisted, provoking a running firefight that lasted for about 30 minutes more or less,” Bunayog said.

He identified

his wounded subordinates as Private first class Denemar Albani, Corporal Marcial Duri and Sgt. Marcial Duri.

A Bansil follower was arrested while fleeing from the scene carrying 40-millimeter grenade projectiles.

The arrested suspect was said to have identified himself as "Ryan Mayogantong Bansil," but police believe the name may be an alias. Local officials said there is an older Mayogantong Bansil, the real leader of the gang.