The Philippine National Police (PNP) has declared a gun ban in two provinces and 63 barangays in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) following an ambush on Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Alonto Adiong Jr on Friday, Feb. 17, that left four people, three of them policemen, dead.
PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said the suspension of the Permit to Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) will be in effect in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, and 63 barangays in North Cotabato that are now under the BARMM.
"We are suspending the PTCFOR on the following areas, Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and then the 63 barangays ng North Cotabato na covered under the BARMM because of the crime incidents that happened there," said Azurin.
The most recent, according to him, was the ambush on Adiong who was wounded during the attack along with his aide.
The governor was reportedly on his way to Wao, Lanao del Sur from Marawi City when they were waylaid in Maguing town.
"They were saying that the motive was rido but whatever is the motive of the crimes that are being perpetrated in that area specifically in the 63 barangays in
Pikit (North Cotabato), I think we need to impose a stricter gun ban in those areas to contain the escalation of crimes," said Azurin.
He said they are now coordinating with the local military forces in the conduct of the investigation.
Azurin said they are also coordinating with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in connection with the incident.
"We already tried to contact Chairman Murad (Ebrahim) to join us in ensuring peace and order in those areas because these are Muslim areas. It's in the MILF territory so they should lead activities there to ease or control the brewing tension there," said Azurin.