The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) has arrested a policeman assigned in Sulu and two former members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao for dealing an array of military-grade weapons including 50 caliber sniper rifle and rocket-propelled grenades (RPG).
CIDG Chief Police Director Samuel Pagdilao Jr. said the recent seizure of high-powered firearms in Maguindanao is part of the aggressive effort of the CIDG to preempt partisan armed groups from acquiring loose firearms and other instruments of violence as the country braces for possible election-related violence relative to 2013 midterm elections.
In his report to Pagdilao, CIDG Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao chief, Police Superintendent Leo Quevedo identified the suspect as Police Officer 1 Julkifli Gandilan Taraji, 43, a former Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) who was integrated to the police service, Sampang Abdulrajak and Sahara Abas, all residents of Panamao, Sulu province.
The three suspects were arrested after they were tagged by Zainodin Antao alias Buding, an ex-MILF turned gun runner, who was wounded last Friday following a brief gun battle with CIDG men who were running after a Cotabato City-based gun running syndicate.
Buding, after he was arrested, told CIDG investigators that a group of Tausug from Sulu have landed in Zamboanga City and were heading towards Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao on board a Ford F150 pickup loaded with military-grade weapons.
Buding also told CIDG investigators that the suspects, who belong to a breakaway group of MILF in Sulu, were about to meet their arms buyer, a certain Rambo Doe, the husband of Sahara Abas, in Barangay Semba, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Buding added that the group is involved in dealing arms stolen from the weapons cache of MILF in Sulu.
Around 6:10 p.m. Tuesday night, CIDG operatives led by Police Senior Inspector Melecio Mina raided the house of Doe by virtue of a search warrant issued by the 12th Judicial Region.
The raid yielded three .50 caliber sniper rifles, one M60 machine gun, three rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) rounds and propellants, a hand grenade, a .45 caliber pistol, and sixteen rounds of caliber 7.62 ammunition.
The suspects were brought to CIDG regional office in Cotabato City while cases of violation of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition will be filed against them. The CIDG will also recommend the filing of administrative charges against PO1 Taraji for his involvement in the group.
