Cotabato drug raid nets Mastura clan 'hitman'

At least three people, including an alleged gun-for-hire belonging to a prominent clan in Mindanao, were arrested when government authorities raided a house in Cotabato City suspected to be a drug den. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which deployed one of the arresting teams, identified the individuals taken into government custody as Datu Neil Mastura, 26; Dexter Lasam, 27; and Datu Mokamad, 26, the anti-drug agency said on Saturday. PDEA said Mastura was said to be a new recruit of the Askal Drug Group, the leader of which used to be Mastura's father Buagas Mastura. A background check by investigators on the younger Mastura revealed that he has pending warrants of arrest for murder. Police also claimed he and Datu Mokamad are notorious gun-for-hire assassins. Police said the younger Mastura was among the names on the government's Target List of Most Wanted Criminals in the Philippines. Datu Mokaman, on the other hand, was said to be a drug protector at Purok Sampalok, Mother Barangay, Bagua, Cotabato City. Mastura and Mokamad were found inside the house after Lasam was caught in the act selling a sachet of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) to an undercover agent. Lasam opened fire at the arresting officers, prompting the latter to fire back. Lasam then reportedly threw his weapon into a nearby river after the encounter, leaving authorities to seize only the gun's leather holster in addition to paraphernalia associated with drug use left behind inside the house. An 82-year-old man, Karon Lumambas, was hit by a stray bullet. Apart from the PDEA, other members of the arresting group came from the Cotabato City Police, Task Group Tugis, and the Army's 603rd Brigade Intelligence Group. “This operation in particular is part of our bid to clear Purok Sampalok of notorious drug pushers and their protectors," PDEA director general and Senior Undersecretary Dionisio Santiago said. Police charged Lasam with violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), and Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den) of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Meanwhile, charges for violation of Section 7 (Employees and Visitors of a Drug Den), Article II of the same law were pressed against the younger Mastura and Datu Mokamad.—Mark D. Merueñas/JV, GMANews.TV