Military seize war materiel in Maguindano

September 26, 2017

Government forces seized war materiel during a combat clearing operation in Maguindnao last Monday.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command spokesman,  said troops were conducting combat clearing operations when they recovered the materiel in Barangay Montay, Datu Piang, Maguindanao around  11:30 am.

She said the recovered materiel include a homemade Barret, a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, and a homemade tripod for caliber .30 machine gun.

Citing Maj. Gen. Arnel Dela Vega, Joint Task Force Central commander, Petinglay said: "The operation was conducted in response to the information received that there were firearms and ammunition submerged in the water near the known armory  of former Talitay Mayor Montasir Sabal.”

Petinglay said Sabal was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman last August 2017 for the alleged misdeclaration of properties in his SALN.

“He was also allegedly involved in large-scale drug trafficking and possession of unlicensed firearms. Sabal remains to be at large after eluding the arresting team,” she said.

Petinglay said the recovered firearms were brought to the JTF Central headquarters for documentation and proper disposition. Robina Asido/DMS