Traffic violation leads to arrest of 2 armed tribal men
AUTHORITIES have arrested two armed tribal leaders on board a motorcycle without plate who slipped through police checkpoint in Barangay Cugman, Cagayan de Oro City, Monday night, March 25.
Arrested were Arniel Cataques alias Datu Tindogan, 42, and Quintin Cebuco alias Datu Langoyan, 52, both residents of
Sambangan, Dalitig Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon. Their other companion had evaded arrest.
Senior Inspector Allan Cairel, police station 10 chief, said Cataques and the other suspect at-large were Subanen while Langoyan is a Higaonon. He said the two were members of the Philippine Independent Iglesia sa Dios Espiritu Santo.
Seized from their possession were a caliber 45 pistol, 38 caliber revolver, several ammunition, an 18-inches long Kris sword and their motorcycle.
Cairel said the suspects sneaked in to the city through the Indahag road to avoid security inspections in the highway. They were here to supposedly
buy medicines.
They were chased by the elements of police station 10 Cugman after they hurdled the checkpoint while they were on their way home.
“Wala ni sila mohunong sa checkpoint busa gisundan sila sa atong tropa. Wala sila kabalo nga nasundan sila busa sila nadakpan sa unahan sa checkpoint, ”Cairel said.
“Nabunyagan gyud daw ni sila nga mga datu sa ilang tribu,”he added.
Cairel said the suspects told them that their firearms were for self-defense.
The suspects were facing illegal possession of firearms in relation to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban and illegal possesion of bladed weapon. However, the suspects
can post bail.
Cairel said they will also check the background of the suspects if they have previous criminal records.
He also confirmed that Cataques was a suspect of a shooting incident in their area last January.
“Kamulo pa ta trace sa ilang records ani,”Cairel said.
He also said they would step security measures especially in areas where there is no security checkpoints.
“Paningkamotan nato masirad-an na nga part sa Indahag ug diri pud nato makita ang pakabana sa katawhan kay kulang baya ang police unya naay mga dalan nga malusutan busa kung naay mamatikdan ang katawhan i-report dayon,”Cairel said.