A MEMBER of the Maute terrorist group and his two companions were arrested by authorities during a raid in Lanao del Sur Tuesday.
The raiding team from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group based in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, together with personnel from Marantao police station were able to confiscate from the suspects' several high-powered firearms and ammunition, including an explosive.
Philippine National Police Chief, Police General Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. disclosed the identity of the suspects as Mastura Disomala, 43, Samen Mamasao, and Moca Giambal.
Police revealed Disomala was a former barangay chairman who is maintaining private armed groups that are linked to the said armed group.
Seized from the suspects were an M16 with a scope labeled Armed Forces of the Philippines Property, a caliber 5.56 with SN. DL162793, an M16 Colt cal. 5.56 with SN. 9051451, an M14 rifle with SN. 420879, an Ingram cal. 9mm with SN.152556, and a Colt officers’ ACP Cal. 45 with SN. 165471.
Also taken from the same suspects were a hand grenade, a magazine of a caliber 5.56 rifle with 20 live ammunition, two magazines of a caliber 7.56 rifle with 29 live ammunition, an Ingram 9mm magazine with 13 live ammunition, and a caliber .45 magazine with seven live bullets.
Azurin lauded all the operating units for a job well done.
He said the armed suspects may pose threat to the communities.
“This is a major accomplishment in our fight against insurgency and terrorism but the quest to achieve peace and order continues and we will be relentless,” Azurin said.
