CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao del Norte – Ten illegal weapons and twenty-one different gun parts were seized from the suspect in his car this Thursday morning at the Army Checkpoint at the Grebona Patrol Base in Libungan, Cotabato. (May 4, 2023).
Lieutenant Colonel Rey Rico, Commanding Officer of the 34th Infantry (Reliable) Battalion, confirmed that the arrested was in a Toyota Vios (Silver) bound for Cotabato City from Manila passing through Surigao City. It was intercepted by the combined forces of the Army and PNP at the checkpoint at the Grebona Patrol Base while crossing the Bukidnon-Alamada-Libungan Highway.
“Due to our intensified checkpoint, we recovered from the suspect ten (10) M16 Rifles, ten (10) lower receiver groups of R4 Rifles, five (5) barrels of 5.56mm Rifles, six (6) pieces of handguards cover of M16 Rifles and two (2) handheld radios”, confirmed Lt. Col. Rico.
In the initial investigation, Brigadier General Donald Gumiran, Commander of the 602nd Infantry (Liberator) Brigade, said that the captured personality is a courier of a gun running group that sells illegal guns to Private Armed Groups and other armed groups in provinces of Cotabato, Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte.
“Thorough investigations are still ongoing to determine the identity of the group behind this gun running network. The AFP and PNP will also continue to work together in law enforcement and combating criminality and maintaining peace and security for the people”, said Brig. Gen. Follow
Major General Alex Rillera, Commander of the 6ID and Joint Task Force Central assures that all AFP units will work harder in promoting the government’s campaign against the proliferation of loose firearms which is the main cause of violence.
“The capture of the suspect and these tools only proves the importance and effectiveness of our checkpoints to free the community from any threat of violence. That’s why our soldiers with the CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) don’t mind being tired and staying awake at the checkpoints to do their respective duties in the town. This is also a proof of the strong relationship between the AFP and the PNP in order to prevent various types of crimes and protect innocent civilians. The military and police, with the help of local governments and various government agencies, will not stop arresting violent people and also the tools they use to sow violence”, according to Maj. Gen. Rillera.
####
