Military officer, a former town mayor nabbed in CDO raid

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – An army officer and a former town mayor were among those arrested during a raid on a compound in the village of Kauswagan, north of this city, Saturday morning.

Army Major Suharto Macabuat and Johayra Macabuat a.k.a. “Marimar,” and “Mayora,” and Sonny Santican, were among the 11 persons nabbed during a raid in the Macabuat’s compound in Kauswagan.

Armed with a search warrant issued by the trial court here, the joint team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the local police here swooped down on the couple’s compound Saturday morning.

The search warrant was intended for a certain “Marimar” or “Mayora” and a certain Sonny Santican.

“Mayora” turned out to be Johayra Macabuat who served as former town mayor of Maguing, Lanao Del Sur, in 1998 until 2004.

Law enforcers said that the search was still going on as of Saturday noon, although the operatives had already recovered six short firearms and suspected “Shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in a house inside the compound.

Johayra Macabuat denied ownership of the alleged illegal-drugs and suspected that the operatives were responsible for putting the illegal drugs.

Macabuat said that she is a legitimate businesswoman and that she challenged the government to conduct a thorough background check of her activities and open her bank accounts.

Major Macabuat said that he arrived only Friday night from Manila because he brought his personal belongings after he is relieved of his duties at the New Bilibid Prison.

He said that he is assigned at Fort Bonifacio, but was detailed at the NBP under the office of General Reiner Cruz, who was appointed Director General of the NBP.

Macabuat has denied any involvement in the illegal drug trade and claimed ownership of the six short firearms seized during the search.

He said he and his wife are willing to face the charges against them and could prove that they are not engaged in the illegal drug trade as alleged.

The PDEA alleged that “Marimar” is the supplier of illegal drugs in Northern Mindanao and Central Mindanao who was the subject of manhunt for many years now.