One killed in arrest operation in Maguindanao del Norte town
Maguindanao del Norte. INQUIRER FILES
COTABATO CITY – A notorious member of an organized crime group was killed in a joint law enforcement operation led by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Regional Forensic Unit in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The raid happened at Sitio Dulayap, Barangay Panggao, Barira town, Maguindanao del Norte on Monday, at 4 a.m., said Lt. Col. Arbel Mecullo, CIDG chief in the BARMM.
Mecullo told the Inquirer in an interview that they launched Oplan Pagtugis and Oplan Paglalansag Omega to serve warrants1 of arrest against Porok Ragundo, alias Rokkie, for the crimes of murder, frustrated murder and robbery issued by a local court in Cotabato City.
READ: Crime gang leader killed in Maguindanao del Norte clash
While serving the warrants in the suspect’s house, several armed men opened fire, prompting CIDG operatives and other police and military units to retaliate. One of Porok’s cohorts, Kamlon Manardas Ragundo, 34, was killed.
“The operating team encountered seven or more armed individuals in an area which is an MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) community,” Mercullo said, adding that “the encounter lasted for more than two hours.”
Other suspects were able to escape after Porok have thrown a hand grenade against the troops. No casualties were recorded on the side of government forces.
At-large companions of Porok are Emarudin Kulaw alias Alpha King, JB Mastura alyas Abu Naim, Ben Harris Salamat, Almoden Sebod, Yusa Ganoy alias Minimi and Mohammad Usman Solaiman alias Ustads Mohamad, all residents in the said place
Recovered from the area are two 5.56mm rifle, magazines containing 48 cartridges and two fragmentation grenades.
“The group led by Porok is operating in towns of Barira, Matanog, Parang, Sultan Mastura, and Buldon, all in Maguindanao del Norte and they are involved in gun-for-hire operations, robbery-holdup, carnapping, illegal drug trade, murder, and narco-terrorism or terrorism financing,” Mercullo said.
“They are also known as supporters of Alpha King, who is reportedly affiliated with Dawlah Islamiya – Hassan Group operating in said towns,” Mercullo added.
A criminal complaint is being prepared by the CIDG against seven others.
