(PTR) PNP-CIDG honors cops for seizure of high-powered arms

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 30): (PTR) PNP-CIDG honors cops for seizure of high-powered arms

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) accorded honors to the operatives of the CIDG’s Anti-Transnational Crime Unit (ATCU) on Friday.

PNP-CIDG Acting Director Chief Supt. Roel Obusan awarded the Medal of Merit to the personnel of the ATCU headed by Chief Insp. Roque Merdegia, Jr.

Obusan said that the award was in recognition of their exemplary work and ability when they seized during a raid five M16 rifles with grenade launchers, six M79 grenade rifles, two M14 rifles, one caliber .45 pistol and thousands of ammunitions.

Also arrested during the said raid was Kenneth Unding Isa, a suspected supplier of firearms to the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and the warlords in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

The raid was conducted by Merdegia and his men last Saturday (Sept. 24) in Barangay West Crame, San Juan City on the strength of a search warrant issued by Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Danilo Cruz.

Aside from the medal, Obusan said, he would also recommend the promotion to the next higher rank of his men in recognition of their outstanding performance of their sworn duty.

The awardees are Merdegia, Chief Insp. Baltazar Beran, Senior Insp. Alvin Caballes, Insp. Alain Jericho Coyupan, Senior Insp. Karli Eden Mahinay, SPO2 Clark Punzalan, SPO2 Noel Barbon, PO3 Norel Calo and PO1 Uldarico Ituralde.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=927472