ILIGAN CITY – Authorities seized high-powered firearms during a checkpoint at Grebona Patrol Base on the Bukidnon-Alamada-Libungan Highway in Libungan, North Cotabato on Thursday morning, May 4.
The 34th Infantry Battalion and Libungan police flagged down a silver Toyota Vios with license plates NXB-742 driven by Norudin Usop with wife Guianbai Demalelai and minor children as passengers.
Inspection yielded ten M16 rifles, ten lower receivers for R4 rifles, five barrels for 5.56mm rifles, two handheld radios, and six pairs of handguard cover for M16 rifle.
The Usops were on their way to Cotabato City from Manila via Surigao City when they were stopped.
Initial investigation said Norudin was a courier of a gunrunning syndicate selling loose firearms to armed groups in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the mastermind of the group.
Armed Forces Western Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Roy Galido commended operating troops for this significant accomplishment.
“Your Armed Forces continue to assist the police in the intensified conduct of law enforcement operations to deter crimes and contain lawless elements operating in our area of operation," said Galido.