CIDG nabs 55 crime suspects, seizes guns, bombs, P3.5M shabu

MANILA, Philippines – The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested 55 men, seized scores of firearms, explosives and P3.5 million worth of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in several operations across the country over the weekend.

From Thursday to Friday last week, the CIDG implemented 61 search warrants, leading to the arrest of 55 suspects and the recovery of 80 firearms, 12 explosives and illegal drugs.

CIDG Director Benjamin Magalong said the simultaneous operations were part of the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Lambat Sibat, an anti-criminality campaign in place since July 2014.

“We are stern in the commitment to protect citizens. If these spineless members of criminal gangs remain free, more people would be victimized,” Magalong said.

Majority of those were arrested in the anti-criminality operations in Davao City, on Thursday, during which a leader of a crime syndicate died while attempting to escape lawmen.

Magalong said Ador Asis Albao tried to elude arrest by jumping from his house but ended up landing on wooden scaffolding, hitting his head and falling into the sea.

Albao was the alleged leader of the Mano gang. He was the subject of a search warrant served at his residence in Barangay Tibungco, Davao City.

Sixteen suspects were apprehended in the raid, while operatives seized five firearms, a hand grenade and P1.7 million worth of shabu.

In Zamboanga del Norte, a certain Randy Pancho, reportedly a local councilor and Filipino-American was accosted for illegal possession of firearms.

CIDG operatives were serving a search warrant in the area and were also able to seize a hand grenade and shabu.

In Calabarzon, a barangay official was also arrested during the implementation of search warrants all over the province.

Vergel Columna, a barangay chairman, was tagged as the alleged leader of the Requijo gang, which is involved in robbery, illegal drugs, and car theft in Cavite and nearby provinces.

Three other suspects were apprehended in the region: an alleged gun runner, in Bacoor City, Cavite; an alleged gun-for-hire in Antipolo City; and a fourth suspect in Laguna.

Meanwhile, Arthur Macasa, a suspected leader of a private armed group was arrested in Compostela Valley province, while in Panabo City, three men were collared during the service of an search warrant.

One of the suspects, Amer Sarunay, was killed while resisting arrest while his two companions survived. Recovered from the suspects were two firearms, a hand grenade and P1 million worth of shabu.

In Quezon City, seven members of the Bituin criminal group, a priority target, were apprehended at a slum area along BIR Road in Barangay Central.

The CIDG was serving search warrants for illegal possession of firearms, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of eight firearms, a hand grenade, assorted ammunition and more than 20 sachets of shabu were seized from the suspects.

Seven people were arrested while P1 million worth of shabu, a cal. 45 pistol and ammunition were seized during raids in Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol and Davao City.

In Bicol region, four suspected criminals dealing in illegal drugs were apprehended in Albay while a rape suspect was nabbed in Camarines Sur.

Two men were arrested in Tabango, Leyte, for possessing 12 high powered firearms such as M16 and M14 rifles without licenses.

In Agusan del Norte, three men believed to be part of the Morgado group involved in illegal drugs, gun-for-hire, gun running and robbery were apprehended in a raid as well.

In La Union, three men suspected to be members of the Ignacio group dealing in gun-for-hire, drug trafficking and robbery activities in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija, were arrested in similar operations, while another man was apprehended for dealing in illegal drugs.

Two men were arrested in Central Luzon and in Mindoro as well.