Army arrests suspected gunrunners in Maguindanao

MATANOG, Maguindanao — Government forces arrested four suspected gun-runner and seized assorted high powered guns from them during law enforcement operations over the weekend.

Major Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said joint elements of 37th Infantry Battalion and the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested Guiaman, Ali, and Samsudin – all surnamed Lumbos, and Digna Lumbos Dirangaren.

Sobejana said the Saturday raid in the suspects’ home in Barangay Langkong, Matanog, Maguindanao was covered by a search warrant issued by a local court.

Police said items seized from the suspects were one cal. 30 improvised sniper rifle, two M16 assault rifle, one M14 rifle, one carbine, one M16 rifle attached with M203 grenade launcher, a fragmentation grenade and assorted ammunitions and magazines.

Lt. Colonel Roberto Go, chief of 37th Infantry Battalion, said the operation was carried out after local residents alerted authorities about the existence of assorted guns in the Lumbos residence.

Sobejana has lauded the efforts of residents to help the military in its disarmament program in Maguindanao. /kga