POLICE Regional Office (PRO) 4-B director, Brigadier General Sydney S. Hernia on Friday announced the arrest of a self-proclaimed general and eight other members of the pseudo military cult called “H-World” during a raid in Roxas, Palawan which yielded an unlicensed gun and dozens of assorted live ammunition.

The H-World gained prominence in the early ‘90s for recruiting undergrads in schools and members from poor communities and assigning them their respective military ranks after asking them to procure their own uniforms.

Members of the cult group in the past have been arrested for impersonating members of the uniformed services and sometimes creating trouble in the streets. In many cases, recruits of the group can be seen in public wearing black long-sleeve t-shirts with big “H-World/Interpolcom” markings and brandishing big laminated IDs which they believe can exempt them from traffic infractions and other violations of the law.

On Wednesday, Hernia said that nine members of the H-World United Nation Military Philippine Government-World Interpolcom or International Police Commission led by self-proclaimed “General” Michel Blanco, 43, were arrested inside their headquarters at Morning Star Building in Purok Republic, Barangay IV in Roxas municipality.

Apart from Blanco, also placed under arrest were “Sergeants” Joel Magbanua, 42; Jerry Tulambing, 53; and Wilfredo Tatic, 58; “Captain” Juan Selose, 65; “Major” Noel Bergante, 54; “2nd Lieutenants” Robert Reyes, 50; and Rogerio Sedan, 49; and “Technical Sgt.” Rodrigo Tacani, 73.

All nine are farmers who are either living in Taytay, Roxas or El Nido municipalities in Palawan province, said Hernia in a report to Philippine National Police Officer-in-Charge, Lieutenant Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr.

The PRO4-B director said that the nine were arrested by operatives from the Palawan Police Provincial Office who raided their office on the strength of a search warrant for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013, issued by Judge Leah Tiongson-Mendoza of the Roxas, Palawan Regional Trial Court Branch 164.

Hernia said that recovered during the raid were one caliber .45 semi-automatic rifle with a magazine containing seven live ammunition, 26 additional .45 bullets, seven rounds of cal. .38 ammunition, three cal. 5.56 ammunition, a spent 9mm casing and seven .38 cartridges.

Local barangay officials witnessed the conduct of the raid, the official said.

Danao commended the PRO4-B officers for the conduct of the successful anti-illegal gun raid.

“I commend members of our operating units who made this police operation a success in line with our campaign against illegal possession of firearms. Their arrest signifies PNP’s serious stance in enforcing the law in line with the organization’s mandate to maintain peace and order and ensure safety and security of the public,” said the top cop.

Danao also reminded anew the public that this group is not a legitimate organization and is not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.

All nine are now being held at the Roxas police lockup facility facing charges for violation of Republic Act 10591.