The arrests were part of the continuing efforts of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to rid the streets of lawless elements.
Metro Manila police chief Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco identified the suspects as Danilo Bayani, 35, of Blk. 17, Lot 17, Kingstown Subdivision; Edrel Andaya, 41, of 777 Manuel St., A. Bonifacio; and Roberto de la Cruz, of 323 A. Bonifacio Avenue, Balintawak, all in Caloocan City; Nestor Gutierrez, 47, of 2907 Bautista Street, Sta. Ana, Manila and Abdul Jabar Ulamay, 23, and Alexander Maulana, 21, both natives of Marawi City and residing at the Islamic Center in Quiapo, Manila.
First to fall were Bayani, Andaya, De la Cruz and Gutierrez, all meat dealers at the Balintawak Market in Quezon City.
Using an informant, the men of Superintendent Miguel Laurel, head of the Regional Intelligence and Special Operations Office (RISOO) were able to strike a deal with the group for the purchase of 130 grams of shabu for P60,000 cash.
The suspects arrived on board a blue Toyota Revo and a black Toyota RAV 4 at A. Bonifacio at around 2 p.m. Saturday.
Upon receiving 26 sachets of shabu in exchange for six bundles of "boodle" money, PO3 Nening Villarosa, who acted as a poseur-buyer, signaled to her companions to move in. Sensing the approaching lawmen, the two vehicles sped off prompting Laurel’s men to give chase.
Laurel said the suspects stopped along EDSA near the Nissan Service Center in Caloocan City, rushed out of the vehicle and ran. However, they were cornered after a brief chase.
Senior Superintendent Gil Meneses, intelligence chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) ordered the impounding of the two vehicles.
Meneses said the suspects yielded an additional 26 sachets of shabu, the buy-bust money and a licensed Gold Cup caliber .45 automatic pistol.
Two hours later, another team of RISOO agents arrested Ulamay and Maulana during a buy-bust operation in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
Laurel said his men met Ulamay and Maulana in front of an eatery at the corner of Ramon Magsaysay and Baldovino Street, near the SM Centerpoint. – Non Alquitran