PNP RSOTG Masbate & 9IB Implemented Application of Search Warrants Against Masbate PAGS

CASTILLA, SORSOGON, January 26, (PIA) – Combined PNP of the Regional Special Operations Task Group (RSOTG) Masbate under C/Supt Arnold L Albis and troops of 9th Infantry Battalion under LTC Julian Pacatan INF (GSC) PA together with the elements of Milagros Municipal Police Station; Masbate Provincial Police Station-PIS; and 21st SAC, SAF conducted application of search warrants against suspected private armed groups (PAGS) in Brgy Cayabon, Milagros, Masbate early morning on Thursday, Jan 24.

  

The joint forces searched the residential houses of Jeremias N Malana @ Toto thru Search Warrant Nr 2013-14 and recovered one (1) cal .38, one (1) cal .22 air gun rifle, and three (3) home-made guns locally known as BOGA;  thru Search Warrant Nr 2013-15, the house of Dulcizimo G De la Cruz  was searched at about 6am, with the recovery of one (1) cal .38 revolver Armscor, ten (10) live ammos for cal .38, and one (1) pouch bag (red) marked Guess.

At about 7am of the same day, the houses of Domingo A. Malunes thru Search Warrant Nr Nr 2013-13 and Isagani A Adrias thru Search Warrant Nr 2013-16 were also searched but with no recovered firearms.  

All search warrants were issued by Hon Judge Maximino R Ables of Regional Trial Court Branch 47.

C/Supt Albis underscored that Masbate province has been considered one of the top ten hot spots during elections and the persistent combine operations of the PNP and Army troops to hunt down these suspected armed groups have precluded them from conducting nefarious activities and political violence in the province.

According to LTC Julian Pacatan, the activation of the combined (Philippine National Police (PNP) and Army RSOTG Masbate has prevented political violence. There were no reported killings and harassment of any political candidates in Masbate since the start of the election campaign period effective January 13, 2013.

Similarly, Colonel Joselito E Kakilala, Commander, 903rd Brigade stressed that the Philippine Army will continue to perform its mandated task to assist the PNP and COMELEC to go after the PAGS during the election campaign period to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful and credible conduct of the May 13, 2013 automated national and local elections. (Cpt MPPanesa, PA/PIA Sorsogon)