High-powered firearms seized from an Indonesian and his two Filipino partners during a law enforcement operation in Kiamba, Sarangani province on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY THE KIAMBA POLICE
GENERAL SANTOS CITY — The police in the Soccsksargen region are investigating the possible links of an Indonesian and two Filipinos who were arrested last week in Sarangani province and now face criminal charges for trying to smuggle high-powered firearms.
Police Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg, Police Regional Office -12 director, said the police would be looking into the possible involvement of the foreign national in smuggling firearms into the region.
The three suspects were identified as 29-year-old Anton Gobay, an Indonesian, and his Filipino companions Michael Tino, 25, of Barangay Malalag in Maitum, Sarangani, and Jimmy Abolde, 52, of Purok Zoneza Saway, Barangay Labangal in General Santos City.
They were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Nalus of Kiamba town on Jan. 7.
Macaraeg said they are also looking into a possible link between Gobay and his two companions with three allied terrorist groups in Central Mindanao, the Al-Khobar, the Dawlah Islamiya and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), all known to have links with foreign terror groups.
Operatives led by Captain Ralph Marvin Rivera of the first platoon, 1204th Mobile Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) in Region 12, flagged down a tricycle with three men on board and saw suspicious trolley bags aboard.
Upon questioning, the police team observed that Gobay became uneasy. The team discovered they were transporting 10 units of Colt AR-19 9mm para rifle, 20 pieces of steel magazines and 10 pieces of detachable rifle butts, Macaraeg said.
“I would like to commend the operating team behind this successful confiscation of high-powered firearms,” Macaraeg said in a statement.
He said he believed that the loose firearms could be used for criminal activities.
The alleged gunrunners, now detained at the Kiamba municipal police station, are facing charges of violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.