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)