Authorities probing if seized ammunition bound for Maute group
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Authorities said on Friday they were still trying to determine if the thousands of live ammunition contained in boxes that were seized in a bus terminal here were destined for the Lanao-based Maute group.
On Thursday, more than 6,000 rounds of 7.62-cal. ammunition for 60-mm light machine gun and four pieces of M203 grenade, estimated to be worth P372,000, were confiscated by combined police and military personnel at the integrated bus terminal in Agora complex in Barangay Lapasan here.
Supt. Surki Sereñas, the Northern Mindanao police spokesperson, said the possibility was strong that the seized cache of ammunition could be intended for the Maute group based in Butig, Lanao del Sur.
“There are indicators that point to Butig as the possible destination,” said Sereñas, adding that they were also looking at other angles as police investigators dig deeper.
“Since these items were brought in as contraband and without appropriate permits, it is very likely that these are intended for nefarious activities or illegitimate purposes,” he said.
Investigators, he said, were looking at some sources of the ammunition like the black market.
Chief Insp. Melgar Devaras, the deputy regional chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in the region, said law enforcers were able to arrest Amer Macarangal and Jabar Mangadag, both residing in Marawi City but natives of Butig.
The suspects, Devaras said, alleged that the boxes of ammunition, which were bound for Marawi, were auto spare parts.
The CIDG said the suspects would be facing charges for violation of Republic Act N. 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition.
Assisting the CIDG in the confiscation of the ammunition were the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office and the Agora police station, the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Military Intelligence Battalion.
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