No.1 most wanted person killed, 1 PNP-SAF died in ZaNorte police operations

By JONG CADION

PAGADIAN CITY (April 14, 2016) – The number 1 most wanted person regional level together with his one unidentified member were killed and arrested another one of his member, while one member of Philippine National Police – Special Armed Forces (PNP-SAF) died during the law enforcement operation conducted against lawless elements/Criminal Gang (CG) Group Wednesday morning April 13, 2016 in the nearby town of Labason in the province of Zamboanga del Norte, police official said.

Senior Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre, Deputy Regional Director for Police Community Relation (PCR) said the law enforcement operations conducted by the joint police operatives of Regional Intelligence Unit 9 (RIU9 PNP IG), 5th SAB PNP SAF, Regional Intelligence Division Police Regional Office 9 (RID PRO9), Provincial Intelligence Branch Zamboanga del Norte Police Provincial Office (PIB ZNPPO), 9TH Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) and Labason Municipal Police Station, Zamboanga del Norte.

SSupt. Ecaldre disclosed that the CG resisted the arrest and fired towards law enforcers while serving the Warrant of Arrest at about 2:00am and firefight ensued for about 30 minutes resulted to the death of PNP-SAF member identified as PO2 Alejandro Gafungle.

Ecaldre also identified the killed suspects as Omar Arassi, also known as Commander SAPII, one unidentified companion and the arrest of his member identified as Elmer Mucadam, a resident of Sitio Lemon, Barangay Salvacion, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte.

The joint police operatives recovered the following items in the encounter area; two units US Garand Rifle Caliber .30 M1 Spring Field SN 1120798 and Garand Rifle SN 1821304; one unit M14 762mm Rifle SN 634437 and 96 rounds of M14 ammunitions; 2 clips loaded 16 Live Ammo; Army Pack with Jump Suit Army Baloder and 10 Magazine of M14 rifle.