Police authorities here, acting on a tip from a civilian
informant, arrested on Monday four persons, believed to be "hit men"
of an outlawed Moro armed group, for possession of unlicensed firearms.
The suspects were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay
Bagontapay, Mlang, North Cotabato past 3 p.m.,
Mlang police chief Senior Inspector Jenamiel Tonacao said.
Tonacao identified the individuals as Notke Talaga Makmod,
30, of Barangay Kabuling, Pandag, Maguindanao; Norjehad Manday Utto, 31; Faizal
Utto, 19; and Bilay Utto, all from Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
The suspects, who all claimed to be farmers from
Maguindanao, could not say why they have in their possession high powered
firearms.
Police officers confiscated from Makmod and Norjehad two
unlicensed 9 mm pistols with 19 bullets while Faisal yielded a cal. 45 pistol
with 17 bullets.
Also, a homemade Uzi machine pistol with seven bullets was
collected from Bilay.
Tonacao said the suspects were on board separate motorbikes
when they were flagged down at a police checkpoint. When frisked they yielded
guns.
Before the suspects were arrested, the authorities received
an intelligence report about a possible entry to Mlang, North
Cotabato of a four-man hit squad.
Investigations are on going to determine if the group belong
to a hit squad of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which
the Army blamed for the series of attacks and liquidation against civilian
members of the military along the Maguindanao-North Cotabato highways.
They are now detained at Mlang Police Station and charges
for illegal possession of firearms are being prepared against them.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=2&sid=&nid=2&rid=791890
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