CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao del Norte – Two snatchers were arrested after being apprehended at a heightened military checkpoint in Brgy. Dumaguil, Norala, South Cotabato.
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Asim Fahad Mamalinta and 32-year-old Ramil Ali, both residents of Salimsi, Buluan, Maguindanao del Sur. The police confiscated a Cal .38 revolver, illegal drugs and three cellphones from the custody of the suspects.
Before this, the suspects stole a cellphone from a restaurant in the said barangay. It was immediately reported to Norala MPS who called the AFP/CAA Detachment at Dumaguil Advance Post to net the snatchers.
According to Colonel Andre Santos, Commander of the 1st Mechanized Brigade, while carrying a motorcycle, members of the CAA Detachment at the Dumaguil Advance Post tried to intercept the snatchers around 6:00 pm (April 18, 2023), but immediately one of them pulled out a .38 caliber pistol and fired at the CAAs. “The CAAs and soldiers were forced to return fire, causing one of the snatchers to be wounded. After a few minutes, the situation was under control and SSg Bernie Magno, the Detachment Commander of the Dumaguil Advance Post, quickly gave first aid to one of the two snatchers who was identified as Asim Fahad Mamalinta”, said Col. saint
“We have once again proven the readiness of our CAAs and soldiers in helping to curb criminality. The layout of our “checkpoints” has been thoroughly studied to effectively monitor the security of the citizens. Effective communication and coordination between the police and the people themselves made this even more intense”, added Col Santos.
Mamalinta was quickly rushed to the Norala District Hospital for medical attention, but later she was also taken to the South Cotabato Provincial Hospital for additional medication while Ali was taken to the Norala MPS for custody and preparation of the case to be filed against theirs.
Major General Alex S. Rillera, Commander of the 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division and Joint Task Force Central, on the other hand, praised the soldiers and CAA for bravely suppressing the evil elements. “The successful arrest of the two suspects and the shootout that happened is only proof that our CAA and military are ready to pay their lives for the defense of the people. It is also proof of the heightened security and readiness of our soldiers at the Joint Task Force Central. We will continue to restrict our AFP checkpoints so that we can maintain order and protect civilians from any threat of violence,” assured Maj. Gen. Rillera.
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