Soldiers arrest fugitive; seize high-powered guns in Basilan

CITY - A joint military and police team has arrested a fugitive and seized high-powered firearms with ammunition in a law enforcement operation in Basilan province, a top military official announced Saturday.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana,

Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) chief, identified the suspect as Hadji Maruan Naser, 47, a native of Tongkil, Sulu.

Sobejana said Nasir was arrested Wednesday in a law enforcement operation by way of service of a warrant of arrest in Barangay

Balanting, Tabuan Lasa, Basilan province.

He said Nasir has a standing warrant of arrest for the crimes of robbery with homicide issued on Nov. 25, 2019, by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch Judge Leo Principe of Isabela City, Basilan.

He said the arresting team composed of 14th Special Forces Company troops and policemen seized from Nasir’s possession a Bushmaster M4 rifle with six magazines; 142 rounds of ammunition for caliber 5.56 millimeter

(MM); a caliber .45 pistol with two magazines and six rounds of ammunition; and, six rounds of .9-mm pistol.

“We continue our joint law enforcement operation with other agencies to ensure the safety and security of the communities,” Sobejana said.

“This success is attributed to all men and women in uniform as well as all our partners and stakeholders who never fail to support us in all our endeavors,” he added.

Nasir and the seized items were turned over to Basilan Police Provincial Office for documentation and proper disposition.

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