COMBINED police and military operatives arrested four people and rescued eight children Sunday, March 12, in the implementation of Double Barrel Reloaded in Zamboanga City.
Police Station 11 Chief Ariel Huesca identified the arrested suspects, who have standing warrants of arrest, as Fatima Sampang Yusop and Marife Fontanilla Asaali both arrested for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and Presidential Decree 1612 (Anti Fencing Law), and Rodel Muskid Injirani and Javier Muntog Jawani, both arrested for violation of RA 9165.
Huesca said the four arrested suspects are believed to be among the “handlers” of the group of children engaged in petty crimes downtown such as pickpocket and snatching.
The eight children will be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development for appropriate action.
Huesca said the suspects were arrested as joint police and military operatives swooped down their hideout around 9:20 p.m. Sunday at Casulutan Drive in the village of Sta. Catalina, Zamboanga City.
The police chief said four other suspected “handlers” managed to elude arrest by jumping out of the hideout’s windows when the lawmen arrived.
Huesca identified them as former Police Officer 1 Mohammad Nur Saabdulla Asaali, who was dishonorably discharged, Alradzmin Asaali, Carding Miranda, and a certain Fatima.
He said they are the alleged “handlers and protectors” of the children snatchers.
Recovered from the hideout were 16 sachets of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride or locally known as “shabu,” illegal drugs paraphernalia, several wallets and bags, jewelries, several units of mobile phones, documents, police badge, and foreign currencies, he added. (Bong Garcia/VoxPop Philippines)