Alleged gun-for-hire nabbed in Lanao del Norte

May 1, 2020

Authorities arrested a gun-for-hire suspect in a joint law enforcement operation in Lanao del Norte on Thursday.

Maj. Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said arrested was Halid Ameril.

Encinas said Ameril was flagged down by composite elements of the 5th Mechanized Infantry (Kaagapay) Battalion  with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Lanao Del Norte; 12th Special Action Company, Special Action Force; and Sapad Municipal Police Station at the vicinity of Barangay Dansalan, Sapad.

"As per investigation, Ameril was  a member of Rhapakhar Group, a group involved in gun for hire activities and gun smuggling in the province of Lanao Del Norte," he said.

Encinas said after the arrest, Ameril was then brought to CIDG Lanao del Norte, provincial field unit in Camp Eduardo Gallego Pigcarangan, Tubod, LDN for appropriate filing of charges and proper disposition.

He said the government forces seized one M16 Colt AR-15 rifle, one M14 Garand rifle, one handheld radio, magazines, and ammunition from the possession of suspect.

Brig. Gen. Facundo Palafox IV, commander of 2nd Mechanized Brigade, vowed that the military will "relentlessly protect the people from any threat and sustain peace and public order in the province of Lanao del Norte."

Encinas said following the successful operation Joint Task Force ZamPeLan commander, Maj. Gen. Generoso Ponio, lauded the AFP and PNP troops.

Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Western Mindanao Command, said "strong interagency collaboration is very vital in the implementation of joint law enforcement operations."

"Successful operations are also attributed to the aggressive stance of the peace-loving citizens against lawlessness and criminality in their community," Sobejana added. Robina Asido/DMS