2 notorious lawless armed group leaders nabbed in North Cotabato

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur (June 1, 2021) - Security forces apprehended two armed lawless group (ALG) leaders in a joint operation in North Cotabato Sunday, May 30.

“While combined elements of the military’s Joint Task Force Central and Pikit PNP were approaching the targets’ area to serve arrest warrant against Montukan Bungay and Walo Bungay, they were fired upon by the targets who tried to elude arrest,” said Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan, Jr., Commander, Western Mindanao Command.

Operating troops conducted pursuit operations which lasted for about six hours and resulted in the apprehension of the two lawless personalities.

According to 602nd Infantry Battalion Commander Brig. Gen. Roberto Capulong, the two were cornered in the marshy area of Barangay Bualan, Pikit, North Cotabato.

Brig. Gen. Capulong further stated that the targets are two of the most wanted personalities in Region 12 that were issued warrants of arrest for two counts of robbery with homicide (no bail), frustrated murder, and murder (no bail).

Seized from the arrested personalities’ possession are the following: one Elisco M16A1 rifle, one Colt M16 rifle, one cal. 45 pistol with magazine and three live ammunition, 26 rounds of 5.56mm Cartridge, 10 bandoliers, several parts of firearms, four cellphones, and personal belongings.

“The Kampilan Troopers will continue to support our partner agencies in the conduct of law enforcement operations in central Mindanao,” said Maj. Gen. Juvymax Uy, Commander, Joint Task Force Central.

Arrested personalities, recovered firearms, and other war materials were brought to Cotabato Police Provincial Office in Amas, Kidapawan City for proper disposition while operating troops are still in the area to neutralize the followers of the Bungay brothers.

“Our strong interagency collaboration bears positive results and we hope to sustain this to eventually disband all armed lawless groups that serve as machinery of terror groups in our area of operation,” said Lt. Gen. Vinluan, Jr. 

Since January 2021, a total of 123 lawless elements were neutralized in central Mindanao, 14 were killed, one surrendered, and 108 were apprehended. (By JONG CADION with report and photos from WestMinCom-PIO)

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