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The army suspects members of the BIFF and the extremist Dawlah Islamiya are behind the firearms cache, probably utilizing the election season to boost funds by providing their providers as employed weapons to politicians
COTABATO, Philippines – Military troops raided a distant village on Monday, January 20, in a particular territory of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Area in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), uncovering a cache of firearms in what officers described as the biggest haul in Mindanao for the reason that election gun ban started.
Though no suspects had been apprehended, army officers suspected the weapons may belong to an armed group offering gun-for-hire providers to politicians through the election season.
The operation happened because the nation entered its five-month election interval on January 12, forward of the Might 12 midterm polls. The interval marks the implementation of stricter safety measures to curb election-related violence. BARMM may even maintain its first regional parliamentary elections on the identical time.
Lieutenant Colonel Rod Orbon, spokesperson for the Military’s sixth Infantry Division and Joint Job Drive Central, mentioned 19 high-powered firearms had been confiscated by army troops in Barangay Decrease Panangkalan, Pahamuddin city, a part of the BARMM’s Particular Geographic Space (SGA), round 10 am on Monday, January 20. Earlier than the creation of the BARMM, the realm was a part of Cotabato province within the Soccsksargen Area.
Orbon mentioned the operation was carried out by troops from the Military’s thirty fourth Infantry Battalion, performing on a tip from involved residents in regards to the presence of armed teams within the village.
“It took virtually three hours to strategy the goal and keep away from an encounter in a populated space. Sensing our closely armed troops had been close to, greater than 20 lawless people managed to flee, leaving the firearms behind to keep away from a confrontation,” Orbon mentioned in a cellphone interview.
The seized firearms included M203 grenade launchers, M16 rifles, M14 rifles, a Garand rifle, an RPG launcher, ammunition, and rifle scopes.
Orbon mentioned authorities had been wanting into intelligence data that members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and the extremist Dawlah Islamiya had been behind the firearms cache, probably utilizing the election season to boost funds by providing their providers as employed weapons to politicians.
“We’re intensifying our efforts and dealing intently with the Philippine Nationwide Police to watch the actions of personal armed teams. We’ll cease any such makes an attempt [to use violence during the election period],” Orbon mentioned.
The Joint Job Drive Central has stepped up its marketing campaign in opposition to the proliferation of free firearms whereas urging candidates to decide to peaceable elections via scheduled covenant signings.
Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo Batinay, commander of the thirty fourth IB, mentioned the army was serving to the Fee on Elections (Comelec) stop election-related violence by imposing the gun ban.
He mentioned the foundations strictly prohibit the show and possession of firearms by anybody not licensed by the Comelec through the election interval.
“These acts are a transparent violation of the gun ban beneath Comelec Decision No. 11067,” he mentioned. – Rappler.com
