3 men arrested for gun possession in Cotabato City
Breaking News • 15:45 PM Sat Apr 9, 2016
2,186
By:
DXMS Radyo Bida
Police and soldiers frisk men during investigation for possession of guns at the main gate of Mall of AlNor. (Photo by Bernatdette Maribojo)
COTABATO CITY – Alert members of
government forces, acting on a tip from an informant, arrested three armed men
from inside a van in front of a mall here Friday night.
Colonel Ranulfo Sevilla, commander of the 5th
Army Special Forces Battalion, told DXMS-AM Radyo Bida thatlaw enforcers, led by the Criminal Investigation
and Detection Group (CIDG) backed by Special Forces soldiers, flagged down a
heavily-tinted Toyota Hi-Ace van inside Mall of Al Nor compound at 7 p.m.
Sevilla said 10 persons, including a woman and
child, were on board the van, three of them appeared to be restless while
police and soldiers conducted plain view inspection.
The arrest triggered a commotion near the main
entrance of Mall of Al Nor as police and soldiers surrounded the van with the
firearms ready.
After thorough investigation, three men were found to
be carrying firearms that include two cal. 45 pistol and a baby Armalite rifle.
Sevilla identified them as Ismael Kamsa, Kle Tambara
and Jomer Anggar, suspected to be members of a
private armed group.Their home address was not made available while probe is still on going. We found they do not have the necessary documents
for carrying guns,” Sevilla said.
The three were detained at the CIDG detention cell
while the rest were allowed to go home.
They claimed that they have threats to their lives
because they are locked in a family feud back home,” Sevilla said.
Charges for violation of Republic Act 10591 or
Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives law and violation of election law
will be filed against them.
Sevilla lauded the informant and other local
residents for helping the government law enforcers prevent the proliferation of
guns in the city.