Authorities recover firearms from alleged Maute supplier in CDO

Authorities who had a search warrant of the Martial Law Special Action Group raided the homes of gun traders and an alleged firearms supplier of the Islamic State-linked Maute group in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday.

A report by Marisol Abdurahaman in "24 Oras" said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) recovered 10 guns from a compound in Barangay Bonbon owned by a certain Jabar Tago, a former candidate for mayor of Pantar, Lanao del Norte.

Jabar and his brother Jameloding are suspects of a shooting incident last February 9, where three individuals were killed, the report said.

"Pinaka-recent diyan sa Cogon yung shooting incident. Sila ang tinuturo," aid Capt. Joe Patrick Martinez, spokesperson of the 4th Infantry Division.

An AK 47 and M4 assault rifle were recovered during the raid, along with eight short firearms.

When authorities searched their store, Jameloding voluntarily surrendered two .45 caliber guns.

Atty. Anthony Ponce De Leon, the Tagos' lawyer, said they owned guns to protect themselves.

"They are businessmen. Kaya sila may mga baril. Licensed, yes," he said.

Jameloding presented several documents to the authorities and these are now being validated.

The AFP also raided the house of Jalaludin Bacaraman Lao in Barangay Pagatpat. But they found that Lao was not in the house.

Operatives searched his home, where they recovered firearms and ammunition.

The AFP said they are validating information that they received stating that Lao owns firearms and ammunition supplied to the ISIS-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.

Last June, 9,000 rounds of ammunition were found in a bus station that were earmarked to be delivered to Marawi City.

"Most probably they are one among the other subject for law enforcement operation natin na pinagkukuhanan," Martinez said. — Jessica Bartolome/BAP, GMA News