Five LLEs, war materiel seized by joint security operations in Sultan Kudarat Province

By Jong Cadion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (August 20, 2017) - Members of the Philippine Marines on law enforcement support operations (LESO) to the policemen of Sultan Kudarat Province Police Office served warrant of arrest and search warrants to a group of Lawless Elements in Kalamansig, in the nearby province of Sultan Kudarat at 4:30am on Thursday (August 17), military official said.

Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) information officer Cpt Jo-Ann D. Petinglay disclosed that the soldiers of Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 led by Major Venjie Pendon and the PNP, apprehended five (5) personalities and were able to recover assorted firearms and war materiel at vicinity Brgy. Ito Andong, Kalamansig.

Cpt Petinglay said that the main target of the warrant Tenti Mangarin, who was listed as High Value Individual (HVI) evaded the arrest and escaped after sensing the approaching government security forces however Bonao Mangarin; Usop Mangarin; Mimong Agam; Osik Mangarin; and Celino Ogib were not able to escape.

Also recovered from the area are four (4) M16 rifles; one (1) cal 30 M1 Garand rifle; one (1) cal .45 pistol; two (2) hand grenades; military uniforms; one (1) binocular; and, assorted magazines and ammunitions, she added.

Cpt. Petinglay further said that Tenti Taup Mangarin has a warrant of arrest for arson being responsible for the burning of the heavy equipment of GEMMA construction in Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat. He and his group were also engaged in piracy (Burites) in the coastal areas of Lebak and Kalamansig municipality.

Arrested personalities and recovered items were brought and now in the custody of Kalamansig MPS for proper disposition.

As of this report, security forces are still exerting effort to search and apprehend Tenti Mangarin.

"I would like to commend the officers and men of the Joint Task Force Central headed by Major General Arnel Delavega for this very commendable feat," said Lieutenant General Carlito G Galvez, Jr., Commander of the Western Mindanao Command.

"This only shows that with close coordination and collaboration, lawless groups will not be able to thrive in any community."

"Manhunt is on to get Mangarin the soonest possible time. We trust the community to give us information about his whereabouts the soonest," added LtGen Galvez.