Cotabato City: 2 men with grenade, guns nabbed; 30 motorbikes seized

COTABATO CITY—The new police commander here made his presence felt Friday when he led the implementation of Oplan Lambat Bitag, which resulted in the arrest of two men with a grenade and guns and the seizure of at least 30 suspected illegal and stolen motorcycles.

The anti-crime operation was conducted simultaneously around the city, a few hours after Senior Supt. Raul Supiter assumed office as city director—replacing Senior Supt. Rex Anongos.

Supiter said the police decided to check on motorcycles as these are favorite getaway vehicle of criminals.

“We all know that motorcycles are the regular and most favorite getaway vehicles of lawless elements,” he said, explaining why motorcycle drivers were singled out.

“If you are driving a registered motorbike and you have a driver’s license, you need not worry,” Supiter said.

He said as it turned out, two drivers yielded handguns and a grenade.

He did not identify the two men, both aged 19, but said they had already been charged under the comprehensive gun law.

Supiter said the implementation of Oplan Lambat Sibat will continue, especially in crime prone areas.

“We will try our best to be always one step ahead of these lawless elements,” he said.

Supiter also announced the formation of a conflict-resolution committee, which will help settle clan wars.

Clan wars or “rido” were blamed for some of the killings that have occurred here in recent months. RAM

RELATED STORIES

PNP catches 210 of Metro’s 440 most wanted men

Fewer ‘druggies’ in your area? Thank PNP’s ‘Lambat Sibat’