MLANG, North Cotabato– Police authorities here, acting on a tip from a civilian informant, arrested on Monday four persons, believed to be “hit men” of an outlawed Moro armed group, for possession of unlicensed firearms.
The suspects were arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Bagontapay, Mlang, North Cotabato past 3 p.m., Mlang police chief Senior Inspector Jenamiel Tonacao said.
Tonacao identified the individuals as Notke Talaga Makmod, 30, of Barangay Kabuling, Pandag, Maguindanao; Norjehad Manday Utto, 31; Faizal Utto, 19; and Bilay Utto, all from Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
The suspects, who all claimed to be farmers from Maguindanao, could not say why they have in their possession high powered firearms.
Police officers confiscated from Makmod and Norjehad two unlicensed 9 mm pistols with 19 bullets while Faisal yielded a cal. 45 pistol with 17 bullets.
Also, a homemade Uzi machine pistol with seven bullets was collected from Bilay.
Tonacao said the suspects were on board separate motorbikes when they were flagged down at a police checkpoint. When frisked they yielded guns.
Before the suspects were arrested, the authorities received an intelligence report about a possible entry to Mlang, North Cotabato of a four-man hit squad.
Investigations are on going to determine if the group belong to a hit squad of outlawed Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which the Army blamed for the series of attacks and liquidation against civilian members of the military along the Maguindanao-North Cotabato highways.
They are now detained at Mlang Police Station and charges for illegal possession of firearms are being prepared against them. (pna)
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