Joint police and military operatives clashed with the armed supporters of a former vice mayor of Maimbung, Sulu on Saturday, June 24, resulting in the death of two people, including a rookie policeman and the wounding of at least 13 others from government forces.
Police Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the firefight erupted when the group of former Maimbung vice mayor Panmdo Adiong Mudjasan opened fire at the policemen and soldiers in Barangay Bualo Lipid at around 7:30 a.m. on Saturday.
photo: PNP
He said the government troopers were out to serve arrest warrants for at least five murder charges and a search warrant for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
“Mudjasan is reported to be employing armed civilians and keeping in his possession loose firearms and explosives,” said Acorda.
Acorda said the fierce gunbattle ended at around 5:30 p.m. on the same day and resulted in the death of Patrolman Regim Gacod, of the 7th Special Action Battalion of the Special Action Force, and a supporter of Mudjasan.
He identified the wounded from the government side as Police Capt. Ergie Wanawan; Police Corporals Nelvin Roble, Butz Lenard Bakidan, Jayson Cabalquinto, Jerwin Tongala, John Lord Paasa, Simon Ligmayo, Alnadzmi Sahirani, and, Vileo Raven Jariolne; Police Staff Sgts. Julakbar Jahani and Jadier Alfad; Patrolmen Jasper Massagan and Jason Dacio.
Acorda said a personnel from the Army’s 41st Infantry Battalion was also wounded.
photo: PNP
Police Lt. Col. Dominador D Mauricio, battalion commander of SAF’s 7th Special Action Battalion, said one cadaver of those involved in the firefight was recovered.
“There are still undetermined casualties and wounded from the group of Pando Mudjasan,” said Mauricio.
Who is Mudjasan?
According to Police Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat, Jr., director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDGF), Mudjasan is facing cases of double murder, frustrated murder, double frustrated murder and multiple attempted murder, and five counts of multiple attempted murder.
He said all the charges are covered by the arrest warrants issued by a judge in Sulu.
Caramat said Mudjasan is a former commander of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) under Nur Misuari.
photo: PNP
“He is a supporter and coddler of ASG sub-leaders, the late Apo Mike who’s formerly operating in Maimbung, Indanan, Parang, and Patikul provinces and of Kadafy Sali. He is also the coddler of Alganer Dahim, the late Juko Dahim and his cohorts, all ASG members who served as the accused’s reinforcement during the armed encounter,” said Caramat.
“Mudjasan and his group are allegedly potential private armed group (PAG) with various high powered firearms,” said Caramat.
The CIDG also revealed that he is engaged in arms smuggling while his members are involved in illegal drug activities and firearm proliferation in the province.
Caramat said the operating troops recovered a 7.62 caliber M14 diamond rifle, four steel magazines of caliber 7.62 rifle, 46 rounds of ammunition of caliber 7.62, and a brown bandolier.
Caramat said Mudjasan was able to elude arrest as he was alerted due to the early start of the firefight.
Barangay elections
Acorda earlier ordered a step up drive against PAGS as he disclosed that they monitored three active and 45 potential PAGs in the country.
The order is part of the security measures for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October this year.
Based on the intelligence reports, most of the monitored PAGs were in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).