CIDG seizes arms cache, PAG leader nabbed in Sulu
A PHILIPPINE National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-led (PNP-CIDG) anti-weapons raid in Maimbung, Sulu, last week resulted in the arrest of a top target and the seizure of a cache of illegal firearms and explosives, PNP-CIDG director, Brigadier General Romeo M. Caramat Jr. said on Wednesday.
In a report to PNP chief, General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr., the PNP-CIDG director said that arrested during the raid in Barangay Upper Tambaking in Maimbung, Sulu, is a 64-year-old suspect, described as a “potential leader” of a private armed group (PAG) in the island-province.
Caramat said that recovered during the raid were one caliber .45 pistol, with eight live ammunition; one M-16 rifle equipped with a grenade launcher; one M-14 rifle; one M-16 automatic rifle; 140 rounds of cal. 5.56 ammunition; 100 pieces of cal. 7.62 bullets; six M-16 magazines; five M-14 magazines; five pieces of 40 mm ammunition; and two bandoliers.
The PNP-CIDG director said that members of the CIDG Basulta Provincial Field Unit (PFU) were assisted by officers from the PNP Special Action Force (SAF), the Regional Intelligence Unit (RIU) 9, the Sulu Police Provincial Office (PPO), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion (IB) in serving the search warrant for illegal possession of firearms and explosives issued against the accused by Judge Shene Cañete of the Parang, Sulu Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 9.
Caramat said that they found out that the suspect was the alleged “right-hand” man of a known Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) commander wanted for two counts of murder, five counts of attempted murder, and violation of Republic Act (RA) 9516 or illegal possession of explosives.
The official said that the suspect is also wanted for his involvement in a shooting incident in Barangay Bualo in Maimbung on May 17, 2018 which killed two civilians and injured several others.
The suspect is now under the custody of the CIDG Basulta PFU, facing charges for violation of RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act of 2013.
Acorda has ordered the PNP-CIDG to crack down on partisan armed groups, loose weapons, and wanted persons in the country as part of their massive effort to keep peace and order.
