By Francis Wakefield
Elements of the Army's 37th Infantry Battalion, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-ARMM (CIDG-ARMM) and the Maguindanao Provincial Police Office (PPO) seized high powered firearms and apprehended lawless elements in the conduct of Law Enforcement Support Operation (LESO) in Maguindanao on Saturday, March 30.
The combined forces served the search warrant against the bandit group, identified as “Lumbos”, for violation of the comprehensive law on firearms and ammunitions in Barangay Langkong, Matanog, Maguindanao.
Apprehended were Guiaman Lumbos, Ali Lumbos, Samsudin Lumbos and Digna Lumbos Dirangaren. Seized from them were a cal-.30 improvised sniper rifle, two M16 assault rifles, an M14 rifle, a carbine, an M16 rifle with an M203 grenade launcher, a hand grenade and assorted ammunition and magazines.
The suspects and recovered firearms, ammunitions and magazines were placed under the custody of CIDG-ARMM for appropriate filling of cases and dispositions.
“The successful LESO was made possible through the collaborative effort and deliberate planning among the security forces within the area of operation,” said Lt. Col. Roberto C. Go Jr., commanding officer of the 37th Infantry Battalion.
Col. Wilbur C. Mamawag, brigade commander of the 603rd Infantry Brigade, said that, as an agent in promoting peace and development, the 603rd Infantry Brigade will actively support the law enforcement operation of the PNP to deter lawless elements from creating amuck and fear in the community.
For his part, Maj. Gen. Cirilito E. Sobejana, commander of the Sixth Infantry Division, said that “in the quest for peace and development, unity will always be the key to success.”
"The operation would not be accomplished successfully if not for the help of the civilian community who provided us with vital information,” he said.