The Philippine Army (PA) will investigate the alleged involvement of an Army man who was caught together with his wife inside their house during a recent drug raid in Cagayan De Oro City.
Maj. Suharto Tambidan Macabuat, 40, a member of the Philippine Army, was arrested along with his wife after the raiding team, armed with a search warrant issued by the Office of the Executive Judge of the Regional Trial Court of Misamis Oriental, seized an estimated 200 grams of shabu and a .45 caliber Remington pistol in their residence.
Macabuat’s wife identified as Johaira Abinal alias “Mayora Marimar,” is said to be a former mayor of Maguing, Lanao del Sur and has been tagged as “Drug Queen of the South”.
“If there is evidence that will show Macabuat is indeed linked with illegal drug operation, he will be referred to either the military court martial or the Army’s Efficiency and Separation Board (ESB),” said Army spokesman Benjamin L. Hao.
Hao adds criminal liability on Macabuat is still possible even if the beleaguered Army man undergoes military trial.
Army records reveal that Macabuat was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant and was called to active duty in 2001.
Also arrested was Macabuat’s nephew identified as Sanny Santican.
PDEA 10 Regional Director Adrian G. Alvarino said Abinal heads the dreaded Abinal Group which is reportedly supplying illegal drugs in Regions 10, 11, 12, Caraga, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and even in Metro Manila.
Recently, president Duterte revealed that they have identified mayors who are involved in illegal drugs and even mentioned that one of them is a woman.
Alvarino hinted that the lady mayor Duterte may be alluding to could be Abinal. (FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD)