Six persons arrested, assorted war materials seized at Comelec checkpoint

Government troops manning a Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoint along National Highway of Tagolo QCP intercepted high powered firearms and explosives and arrested six persons late Tuesday afternoon, May 10.

The six suspects were arrested after they were caught in possession and control of assorted firearms and explosives while on board a pick-up truck allegedly owned by the local government of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

The vehicle, driven by Tristan Bendecion Baguio, was bound for the municipality of Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Lanao del Norte.

Said suspects were held at the Border Control Checkpoint/QCP and were subseSuently arrested upon their failure to present legal documents to possess the said firearms and explosives, in violation of RA 105I1 and RA I515.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Salman Saad, provincial information officer, Lanao del Norte Provincial Police Office, identified the arrested individuals as Esmail Maruhom Wali, 42 (battalion comander, 105BC, CMF, BLAFMLLF); Adam Mambuay Tando, 58 (deputy battalion commander, 105BC, CMF, BLAF-MLLF); Fausto Calimpas Guinita, 40 (platoon leader, 105BC, CMF, BLAF-MLLF); and Sangbaan Obinay Acut, 58 (intelligence officer, 105BC, CMF, BLAF-MLLF).

The arrested individuals are all residents of Brgy. Koreo, SND, Lanao del Norte.

The two others were Tristan Bendecion Baguio, 34 (LGU employee of Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur); and Resil Bacsan Revillas. Both are residents of Brgy. Poblacion, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur.

The arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to Camp Major Eduardo Gallego, in Pigcarangan, Tubod, Lanao del Norte for documentation and further disposition.

LDN PPO provincial director Colonel Lsaias A. Bacurnay Jr. commended the responding PNP personnel for a job well done and their serious commitment to implement secure, accurate, free, and fair national and local elections 2022.