4 nabbed for illegal possession of firearms in Maguindanao —Wesmincom

Government forces on Wednesday arrested four individuals for alleged illegal possession of firearms in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, according to the Western Mindanao Command (Wesmincom).

In a statement, the military identified the suspects as Mike Guipal Badrudin, Nadia Kero, Arbaiya Bangkong Mustapha, and Ali Ebrahim Ebrahim.

Soldiers from the 6th Infantry Battalion and personnel from different Philippine National Police units served an arrest warrant to Jaybee Mastura or "Abu Naim" for illegal possession of firearms.

While the operating troops moved to the target house, the suspect managed to escape but his alleged four cohorts were arrested, the Wesmincom said.

Seized from the suspects were the following:

• two Winchester M14 rifles
• an Elisco M16 rifle
• a caliber 45 pistol with magazine
• a BRB423 fragmentation grenade
• 30 rounds of 5.56 ammunition
• three rounds of .45 ammunition
• an M14 magazine
• an M16 magazine
• two magazine pouches
• a Samsung A20 box

Joint Task Force Central commander Major General Juvymax Uy said the military will continue to support the PNP in its law enforcement operations.

For filing of appropriate charges and proper disposition, the arrested persons and  confiscated items were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office.

Westmincom commander Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan Jr. said the operation “exemplifies that good interagency collaboration and cooperation is tantamount to the preservation of peace and order in the communities.” —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News