Twenty-five more firearms seized by troops in Sulu

By Jong Cadion

ZAMBOANGA CITY (April 3, 2017) - Soldiers of the Task Group Panther and the 4th Scout Ranger Company under the Joint Task Force Sulu seized a total of 61 firearms following a series of focused military operations launched against the group of Saudi Hamja, a local lawless group in Barangay Capual, Omar Municipality, Sulu from March 29-30, 2017.

Members of the 4th Scout Ranger Company, led by Captain RusellBawat, under the Task Group Panther, while on blocking position, encountered an estimated 15 armed lawless elements, who engaged the soldiers in a 20-minute exchange of gunfire at 2pm last Thursday (March 30), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WesMinCom) Information Officer Cpt. Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the lawless elements withdrew, leaving behind seven (7) firearms and assorted ammunition. Seized were one (1) M16; three (3) M14; two (2) M1 Garand; one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher; five (5) M14 ammo magazines; ten (10) M16 ammo magazines; seven (7) M1 Garand clips; 100 rounds of .62 cartridge; 50 rounds of Caliber .30 ammunition; and six (6) rounds of 40mm ammunition.

Cpt. Petinglay said that after scouring the immediate vicinity, the rangers further seized 12 more high-powered firearms and several ammunition. Seized were six (6) M14 rifles, two (2) M16A1 5.56mm rifles; two (2) M1 Garand rifles; one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher; and one (1) M79 Grenade Launcher.

Cpt. Petinglay said that at 6:30am of March 30, two (2) high-powered firearms, one (1) M16 and one (1) M203 Grenade Launcher); 646 rounds of Cartridge Caliber .50 ammunition; and six (6) rounds of 60mm HE were seized in a clearing operation conducted by the 4SCRC in Barangay Lablab, Omar, Sulu.

As recalled, thirty-six (36) firearms were already seized by the Task Group Panther and the police from the group of Saudi Hamja in a law enforcement operation conducted in Barangay Capual, Omar at 5:08am of March 29.

Cpt. Petinglay added that another four (4) high-powered firearms two (2) M16, one (1) M14, and one (1) M1 Garand rifles) were seized following a clearing operation launched by the Task Group Panther in Barangay Lablab same municipality at 4:30 in the afternoon (March 29).

"We have pushed these bandits out of their comfort zones, and we intend to keep it that way," said Colonel Cirilito Sobejana, the Commander of the Joint Task Force Sulu based in Busbus, Jolo, Sulu.

"We will continue to have them running until we get them and all their firearms," added Colonel Sobejana.

 "I believe that the people are helping us with these bits of very important information, reporting whereabouts of lawless elements, because they desire for their town to be free of fear from any form of criminality," declared Major General Carlito G. Galvez Jr, the Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"Seizure of these firearms will surely entail a decrease if not fully pre-empt lawlessness in the municipality where the firearms were seized."

"WestMinCom together with the Philippine National Police, will continue the conduct of focused military operations to advance its mandate of protecting the people and their communities from criminalities, banditry and terrorism," added MGen. Galvez.

The troops are advancing to specific target areas where lawless group members are reportedly hiding.