Marines, police arrest big time SK drug trafficker

COTABATO CITY - Government operatives shot and wounded in an encounter on Tuesday in Maitum town in Sarangani a notorious drug trafficker also wanted for rape and other heinous offenses.The suspect, Norhan Guiambolanan, 38, was wounded in the abdomen.Policemen and combatants of the 7thMarine Battalion, a unit of the 1stMarine Brigade based in Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, only intended to peacefully serve Guiambolanan a warrant for his arrest, but were forced to neutralize him when he resisted and engaged them in a firefight.The team that raided the suspect’s hideout in Barangay Maguling in Maitum, near the border of the adjoining Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces, was armed with a warrant issued by Judge Panambolan Mimbesa of the Regional Trial Court Branch 37 in General Santos City.Guiambolanan is also wanted for rape and cattle theft.Escorted by Marines, policemen from Maitum and Gen. Santos City immediately evacuated Guiambolanan to a hospital for medication prior to his turn over to the sala of the judge who ordered his arrest.Marine Lt. Col. Chute Adecer, whose men helped carry out the suspect’s arrest, said he is thankful to confidential informants that led the raiding team to the hideout of Guiambolanan.Barangay officials said the suspect is engaged in large-scale distribution of Shabu in Moro enclaves in Maitum and in nearby Palimbang town in Sultan Kudarat.