Bandit reveals tunnel armory, drugs cache

ABS-CBN Interactive has the scoop on a drug bust in Davao del Sur, and in Malungon, Sarangani Province:

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The capture of a notorious bandit on Monday led to the discovery of a tunnel used as an “armory” by outlaws protecting huge marijuana plantations on the boundary of Kiblawan, Davao del Sur and Malungon in Sarangani.

The arrest also solved the sensational murder of a banana-plantation owner and stopped rampant cattle-rustling in the area.

Senior Supt. Efren Valeriano, Sarangani provincial police director, in a report to Chief Supt. Edgar Mangila, police regional director for Central Mindanao, identified the suspect as Alfredo Mangaga, alias Fred Pandac, 27, a resident of Sitio Balnige, Barangay Malabod, Malungon.

Law enforcers captured Mangaga during a running gunbattle with armed bandits who retreated toward the mountainous portion of Davao del Sur. Authorities reported no casualties.

The police cornered Mangaga inside a hut several meters away from a shallow tunnel where assorted firearms, ammunition and marijuana leaves were found.