Arms found in fugitive mayor's hideout

From The Standard (Jan 29): Arms found in fugitive mayor's hideout

AT least seven supporters of fugitive Mayor Rasul Sangki of Ampatuan, Maguindanao were killed while five others were wounded in continuing police and military operations against the local official accused of narcotics trafficking.

Muslim Mindanao regional police director Chief Supt. Reuben Sindac reported the casualties a day after combined security forces found on Friday an illegal cache of high-powered weapons and ammunition at Sangki’s hideout in mountainous Barangay Saniag in Ampatuan town.

Sindac said 12 unidentified government troopers were also wounded in the fight that sparked as security forces tried to serve a search warrant on Sangki, one of the five Maguindanao mayors whom President Rodrigo Duterte accused of being involved in narcotics trafficking.


After Duterte made the accusation in August, Sangki surrendered to authorities but was later released after the authorities failed to establish evidence against him.

But on Friday, Sindac said lawmen were able to search Sangki’s residence under the watch of barangay officials and they found accessories of armalite rifles, three M60 barrels, and one for cal. 30 machine gun, bolts for M16 rifles, hand-held radios, cellphones, ammunitions for rifle grenade, 14 pieces links to cal. 50 machine gun and components of improvise explosive devices.

Also included were assorted parts of cal. 50 machine gun, 100 rounds of ammunition of cal. 40, other components and military uniforms.

Sindac said additional charges of illegal possession of weapons and ammunitions are being prepared against Sangki and three supporters who are allegedly harboring him.

The three supporters are commanders of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a break-away group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which has signed a peace pact with the government.

The three were identified as Ameril Katingan, Esmael Ungkag alias Datu Jacob and Bert Guiamelon.

All pieces of evidence were brought to the Muslim Mindanao regional police office in PC Hill, Cotabato City.

Sindac said Sangki is believed to be hiding in satellite camps of the MILF in Barangay Saniag which is adjacent to Camp Busra, the main camp of the rebel movement.

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