Manhunt on for big-time drug supplier in N. Cotabato

KIDAPAWAN CITY – Authorities launched manhunt operations against a suspected big-time supplier of shabu and other illegal drugs in North Cotabato who was able to escape in a buy-bust raid here, over the weekend.Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 12 identified the suspect as Rodel Javier, who, according to reports, was the same person that escaped from a dragnet operation launched in 2014 in Davao City.But Javier’s younger brother, Arnold Javier, a member of the Philippine Army deployed at Palembang, Sultan Kudarat his live-in partner and another suspected shabu peddler, were arrested during the raid held at Javier’s residence at Barangay Meohao here, Saturday.Authorities recovered from them a big sachet of shabu whose street value was estimated at P37 thousand, and several drug paraphernalia.PDEA-12 operatives said Javier, listed as among the top suppliers of shabu in Region 12, has already been the subject of their surveillance and monitoring.A local court issued the search warrant against him.The PDEA-12 operatives, however, admitted that even before they could get Javier the suspect was able to escape using the exit door.Meantime, a 44-year old farmer identified as Edgar Calungsod from Barangay Marbel, Matalam in North Cotabato was found dead in a grassy lot at Purok-5, Barangay Labu-o, in nearby President Roxas town, over the weekend.Calungsod, according to reports, was one of the many suppliers of shabu in North Cotabato.Reports added the victim has already supplied his ‘clients’ of shabu when he was ambushed while on his way home.Superintendent Bernard Tayong, spokesperson for the Cotabato Provincial Police Office, said the victim sustained several stab and gunshot wounds in different parts of his body, which led to his instantaneous death.The killing could be drug-related, he said.