53IB encountered Ambol Group, lawless element leader killed

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (November 28, 2016) - At about 1:35 PM of November 26, 2016, operating troops of Charlie Company, 53^rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion, 1^st Infantry, (Tabak) Division, Philippine Army while conducting Law Enforcement Operations at Sitio Balaisan, Brgy East Migpulao, Dinas, ZDS encountered more or less ten (10) fully armed men members of AMBOL group, a lawless elements that resulted to a Firefight which lasted for about fifteen (15) minutes, military official said.

The troops bravely assaulted the enemy position despite the rough terrain conditions (bakawan and swampy) which lead to recovered one (1) unidentified body, one (1) M16 rifle bearing a serial number RP011670 with three (3) magazines, one in (1) short and two in (2) long that contains sixty-six (66) live ammos, hammocks, two (2) backpacks having personal belongings, however no casualty on government side.

The said body later identified as Norhan Ambol aka NHO/BUNGI, leader of AMBOL group (LLEs) as verified by the locals and confirmed by the Local Government Unit of Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.

The suspected leader Norhan Ambol aka NHO/BUNGI is the TOP MOST WANTED PERSON on ILLEGAL DRUGS and the 2^nd most wanted person in whole region IX for 2015. He has standing warrant of arrest under CC 1643-D (Direct Assault), CC 12-086 (Murder) and CC 11-077 (Illegal Possession of Firearms).

Norhan Ambol aka NHO/BUNGI led the ambush incident against Bravo Company, this unit last 21 November 2016 and which the pursuing troops of this battalion encountered on the same day. He and his group are also infamous in spreading terror for their gun-for-hire and extortion activities to include series of killings in the Municipality of Dinas, Zamboanga del Sur.

Operating troops, who encountered the said armed group, under 2LT OLIVER CARMEN, carried the cadaver of aka NHO/BUNGI, towards Brgy. East Migpulao, Dinas, ZDS to link up with the troops of LTC VIRGILIO C HAMOS JR, the Battalion Commander of 53IB, 1LT MARK LESTER A PULAY, the Operations Officer, and civilian asset to validate the identity of the body. Also present were Hon Belman Mantos- Provincial Board Member at the same time the Chairman of Provincial Peace and Order Committee of ZDS; Hon Mayor Ricky Chavez and Hon Vice Mayor Eleazer Asoy of Dinas, ZDS. Upon confirmation of the identity, said troops proceeded to Dinas Municipal Police Station to turn-over the said cadaver.

                                                                                       

This is a product of the relentless efforts of 53^rd Infantry (MATAPAT) Battalion in pursuing these armed group in ensuring peace and order in the Province of Zamboanga del Sur.

As what the Battalion Commander of 53IB - LTC VIRGILIO C HAMOS JR said “Our efforts does not end here. I and all the officers and men of the Matapat Battalion will continue to support the Provincial LGU in pursuing a more peaceful, drug-free, and progressive Zamboanga del Sur.”