Pamatong’s lair yields explosives, gun, bullets

AUTHORITIES seized explosives and a gun loaded with bullets after raiding the houses of lawyer Elly Pamatong, a self-proclaimed president and leader of the United States Allied Freedom Fighters of the East (USAFFE) in Tabucnai, Tablon, Cagayan de Oro City, early Thursday, August 31.

Armed with search warrants issued by a court in Gingoog City, the joint forces of the police, military, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and other law enforcement agencies swooped down and searched 42 houses in the area for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives.

From the 42 houses, five are owned by Pamatong and the other 37 were occupied by supposed members of Pamatong’s Freedom Fighters.

Chief Inspector Evan Viñas, police station 10 chief, said seized from Pamatong’s houses were two fragmentation grenade, a caliber 45 pistol with live ammos and several military and police uniforms and fake police IDs.

Viñas said no one was arrested after the targets were not sighted during the operation.

Police said they saw the Philippine flag invertedly placed when they arrived at the area.

“Nakita nato ang flag gibali ang pula sa taas blue sa ubos,” Viñas said.

“Kita pud tag emblem kanang logo nga naay Sagisag ng Pangulo ng Pilipinas kung asa walay gitugotan mogamit gawas sa presidente,” he added.

Authorities believed that the operation may have leaked which compelled the group to flee prior to the police operation.

Viñas said they worry that the group may build paramilitary group to overthrow the present government.

“To overthrow the present government gyud ang purpose kay dili malilong nga nag.declare man siya sa iyang kaugalingon nga president, ”Vinas said.

Superintendent Melgar Devaras, deputy regional chief for CIDG-Northern Mindanao, said the US-AFFE group have posed a certain level of threat in the community.

be identified, said former USAFFE members who quit from the group had disclosed that they were made to pay P1,000 per month and another P100 weekly.

She said more villagers have despised the existence of the group in the area.

“Daghan diha nihawa sa grupo kay wala makauyon kay ginapabayran og P1,000 kada bulan ug P100 kada semana. Gahatag na sila og kasamok ug kahadlok sa mga tawo diri,”the resident said.

Authorities are set to charge Pamatong with illegal possession of firearms, bullets and explosives.

Police said the USAFFE group has about 200-300 members in the city.

Few were arrested recently for wearing police uniforms.