76-YEAR-OLD 'LOLA,' 10 OTHER DRUG SUSPECTS HELD IN KIDAPAWAN

COTABATO CITY ­ Authorities arrested at least 11 suspected drug
pushers ­ including a 76-year-old grandma — in last week's separate
raids in Kidapawan City dubbed as "Operation Big Bang."

The warrants of arrest for the suspects were issued by Judge Rogelio
Narisma of the Regional Trial Court Branch 23.

Of the 13 wanted drug pushers in Kidapawan City, 11 were arrested,
including the 76-year-old woman.

Authorities confiscated from the suspects 17 big sachets of
methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" weighing at least five grams,
and a number of shabu paraphernalia.

The city's Anti-Drug Task Force led by newly-elected Mayor Rogelio
Gantuangco and his co-chairman, city councilor Joseph Evangelista,
initiated the Operation Big Bang.

The task group is composed of the crack members of the Intelligence
Support Group, 1202nd Mobile Group led by Sr. Insp. Jonathan Tagum of
the Kidapawan City Police, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA).

Police said "the relatively low amount of illegal drugs seized in
Kidapawan City the past months despite massive campaign indicated the
declining drug trafficking in the city."

Authorities have locked up in jail [names deleted].