MANILA, Philippines – Two drug suspects were killed and at least 31 kilos of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) were seized in a buy-bust operation in Las Piñas City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

PNP chief General Debold Sinas said the suspects, identified as Richard Jen Jieko Salameda Amarga alias Koy-Koy or Coco and Andrew Guinto Garcia, died during an encounter with operatives from the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) around 10:15 pm on Tuesday in Barangay Almanza.

The buy-bust operation was jointly conducted by PDEG and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Las Piñas City Police Station, NCRPO Regional Intelligence Division, NICA, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Camp Crame, and Regional Special Operation Group NCRPO.

Sinas said the illegal drugs, packed in different tea packages, that were confiscated from the suspects were estimated to worth P210,800,000.

Also recovered from the suspects were a vehicle, a paper bag containing P1.5 million used as buy-bust money, a caliber .45 pistol Para Ordnance, a chamber loaded with one ammunition and with inserted magazine loaded with four ammunitions, one caliber .45 pistol Para Ordnance, chamber loaded with one ammunition and with inserted magazine loaded with three ammunitions.

Police investigation showed that the suspects are well-known distributors of illegal drugs and members of Sputnik Gang and Amarga Drug Group.

Their supplies were from a certain group of Chinese Nationals in Myanmar and discreetly transporting them to a warehouse somewhere in Pampanga.

“I commend PDEG for a job well done as we continue to fulfill our mandate in cleaning the streets to attain a safer, more secured, and drug-free community,” Sinas said.

MANILA, Philippines – Nine persons allegedly involved in the illegal sale of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test kits were arrested in an operation in Quezon City, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.

Citing reports from the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, PNP chief General Debold Sinas said the following suspects were apprehended during an entrapment operation conducted in Barangay South Triangle on Tuesday:

• Marize Santiago, 28
• Joshua Raphael Bautista Ramirez, 21
• Zeus Catamora Jimena, 27
• John Vincent Almante Sumalabe, 23
• Rio Joyce Mingay Perando, 20
• Hermogenes Rivero Villordon, 28
• Jomari Pareja Estrada, 21
• John Marthy De Jesus Parentela, 22
• John Paolo Solibaga San Pedro, 28

The operation was launched by joint operatives of Quezon City District Field Unit (QCDFU) and 300th Air Intelligence and Security Wing following verification from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The PNP said the operation stemmed from reports about unauthorized distribution and selling of unproven and illegally marketed medical devices.

These devices include Joinstar, Clungene rapid test kit, Innovita antibody test, Sanli disposable virus specimen, and Wondfo rapid test kit, which were placed for advertisement thru an online selling website managed by an unauthorized online seller of COVID 19 Rapid test kit.

The PNP said the entrapment operation was conducted after the suspects received payment from a police undercover who ordered online 30 boxes of Clungene Rapid Test Kit amounting to P204,000

Recovered from the suspects were assorted volumes of unauthorized rapid test kits, with an estimated market value of P30 million.

During the operation, police said suspects failed to show their license to operate (LTOP) or special permit to sell and distribute the test kits as required under FDA Circular No. 2020-016.

One of the suspects, Marize Santiago, was found to be linked to a Chinese online selling group that offers unauthorized rapid test kits for COVID-19.

The arrested persons were brought to the QCDFU office for appropriate documentation for the filing of Cases for Republic Act 9711 or Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009 in relation to FDA Circular No. 2020-016 or the prohibition of Online selling of FDA Certified COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit.

“This operation is part of our continued efforts to run after those who take advantage of the pandemic to earn money by illegally marketing medical devices through illegal online selling by unauthorized online sellers of Covid-19 rapid test kit,” Sinas said.

MANILA, Philippines – A suspected leader of the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah was killed during a police-military operation conducted in Lanao del Sur on Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas identified the suspect as Usop Nasif alias Abu Asraf who was listed as the Dawlah Islamiyah Lanao subleader and the number 2 man of the group’s leader in Lanao del Sur, Abu Zacaria.

Citing intelligence reports from the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Special Action Force, Sinas said state forces served a warrant of arrest to Nasif for frustrated murder and murder charges around 3 a.m. in Barangay Guimba, Marawi City.

Nasif was the subject of a warrant of arrest in three Criminal Cases for murder and frustrated murder issued by Hon Judge Albert Quinto of Br 11, RTC 12 of Malabang, Lanao del Sur, Sinas said.

The operation, however, led to a 30-minute gunfight that wounded seven police officers and an Army personnel. They were rushed to a hospital in Marawi City for treatment.

Nasif and his wife, identified as Khalil Mufliha, sustained injuries during the encounter and were brought to Amai Pakpak Medical Center. Nasif, however, was declared dead on arrival, according to the PNP.

The rest of the armed suspects were able to escape in the midst of the armed confrontation, the PNP chief said.

Recovered from the suspects were the following:

• 130 pcs of 5.56 empty shells
• 12 pcs of 9mm empty shells
• One XRM Motorcycle
• One Glock 17 Pistol
• One pressure IED attached with battery clip
• One IED Anti-Personnel
• One marked 2 fragmentation grenade
• Several improvised explosive device components

“The police operatives in coordination with our AFP counterparts are continuously conducting manhunt operations to arrest other members of this terrorist group,” Sinas said.