Joint AFP-PNP Law enforcement operation arrests 2 suspects with high powered firearms and explosives

Seizure of high powered firearms from the suspect's house by joint AFP-PNP law enforcement operations.

By Jun Enriquez

 Sapad, Lanao del Norte - On the daybreak of April 24, 2019, operating troops from the Mechanized Companies (51, 52 & 53) of 5th Mechanized Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion under Lieutenant Colonel Rolando D Orengo, Battalion Commander seized four  (4) assorted firearms, ammunitions and explosives and apprehended 2 personalities in a Law Enforcement Support Operations with the 11 DRC under 2nd Lieutenant  Castro; Crime Investigation and Detection group (CIDG), Lanao del Norte; CIDG, Iligan City; Municipal Police Station (MPS) Kapatagan of Lanao del Norte under Police/Captain Latar through a simultaneous serving of search warrants to the houses of identified personalities who allegedly possessed unlicensed firearms in Municipalities of Sapad and Kapatagan.

The suspected personalities were arrested and identified as certain Jessie Alger Sr., 64 years of age, residents of Barangay Katipunan, Sapad, LDN and a certain Jael Tero, a resident of Panuloon, Sapad LDN for alleged violation of RA 10591 (Proliferation Against Loose Firearms).

The operation resulted to the seizure of one (1) M16 rifle, one (1) M1 garrand rifle, one (1) cal. 45 pistol, one (1) shot gun, one (1) fragmentary grenades, ten (10) garrand clip magazines, two (200) hundred rounds of ammunitions, seven (7) stainless M16 Magazines loaded with ammunition, two (2) bandoleers, and one (1) waist pistol holster, all in the custody of CIDG, Lanao del Norte for ballistic testing while the arrested personalities were brought to the Headquarters of the CIDG Lanao del Norte, Pigcaranan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte for filing of appropriate charges and proper disposition. The successful joint Law Enforcement Support Operations (LESO) was done in response to the persistent reports coming from the concerned citizens of the said place regarding individuals possessing unlicensed firearms.

It was recalled that the Army's 5Mechanized Infantry Battalion intensified its campaign and efforts in close coordination with the local government units of the province to encourage their constituents for the voluntary turnover of loose firearms in line with the campaign of the 2Mechanized Infantry Brigade under Brigadier General Ezra James P Enriquez AFP, Commander, anchored in line with the call of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on the campaign to apprehend loose firearms. 

Lieutenant Colonel Orengo, the Commanding Officer of 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion was grateful to the communities of the municipalities of Sapad and Kapatagan for their cooperation and trust to the Philippine Army that led to the seizure of unlicensed firearms, ammunitions, explosives and the apprehension of 2 personalities. He also commended the troops for their commitment to secure the people of Lanao del Norte. "We enjoined the people of Lanao del Norte to work hand-in-hand with the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion in keeping and sustaining peace through constant reporting and close coordination. The operation will bring message to all that the campaign against loose firearms will continue to attain a society free from violence and intimidation which will eventually lead to orderly and peaceful community ready for economic progress," Orengo stated. (Press Release with photos from 5th Mechanized Battalion, PA)

2nd Mech Bde 51st 1B encounters with NPAs in the Hinterlands of Iligan City

An Arrival Honors to BGEN EZRA JAMES P ENRIQUEZ AFP (with Corsage), Commander of 2Mech in line with his recent rank promotion from Colonel to Brigadier General. File Photo Courtesy of 2nd Mech Bde, PA.

Iligan City - Elements of Charlie Company of the 51^st Infantry Battalion under 1Lt. Rey Jay M Meneses encountered more or less 50 members of the armed group believed to be NPA's of Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) with unidentified leader in the uninhabited mountainous area of Sitio Lemon, Brgy Kalilangan, Iligan City on 6 April 2019 at around 12:30 in the afternoon.

The Military forces conducted clearing operations as precautionary action to the reports relayed by concerned civilians from the area about the presence of the armed group. While on foot patrol, operating troops chance upon a suspected NPA lair caused an encounter with the CTGs who were wearing black uniforms. After 45 minutes of intense fire fight, the NPA's withdraw towards different directions. The government forces are still on pursuit operations to hunt down the fleeing bandits.

No casualties from the government forces during the encounter while undetermined on the part of the terrorists. However, the operating troops were able to scour the area occupied by the terrorist group after the fire fight and recovered from the site two (2) Magazines of ammunition of 5.56mm, one (1) Bandoleer, assorted empty cartridges, subversive documents and other personal belongings of the CTG members.

Brigadier General Ezra James P. Enriquez, Commander of 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Philippine Army appreciates the support of the stakeholders from the community as partner of the security forces in the area, while he encourages the operating troops for their untiring efforts and continue the pursuit operation in tracking down the terrorists. He considered the operation successful as the security forces was able to thwart the NPA's terroristic activities that may affect the peace-loving people of Iligan City.

Brig Gen Enriquez extended his message to the members of CTGs to lay down their firearms and go back to the folds of the law with better opportunity on their new life awaiting them. (Press Release, 2nd Mech Brigade PA)