Maguindanao town mayoral aspirant, 2 pals nabbed for loose firearms

COTABATO CITY – Police arrested here on Monday a mayoral candidate and two of his men in Maguindanao town during a law enforcement operation against loose firearms.

Police Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, head of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Maguindanao, said Zamlon Guinomla Abdulwaris, who is running for mayor in Datu Salibo and two of his men, were arrested in their “hideout” in Barangay Bagua 2, Cotabato City around 4:30 a.m. during the CIDG-led “Oplan Paglalansag Omega.”

Arrested with Abdulwaris were Serhan Kadatuan and Zahabudin Mohamad, both residents of Datu Salibo.

Madin said CIDG agents, backed by Army Special Forces, were serving a search warrant issued by a local court for violation of the Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition law.

Seized from the suspects were a 45-caliber pistol, a 40-caliber pistol, a hand grenade and more than 200 live ammunition for different caliber of firearms.

Madin said Abdulwaris also served as president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen of Datu Salibo and used to sit as an ex-officio member of the town council.

Police were preparing charges against the suspects for violating the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition and the Illegal Possession of Explosives law.

The suspects are now detained at the CIDG cell here.