The military has sealed off Maimbung town in Sulu as hot pursuit operations were ongoing to arrest former vice mayor Pando Mudjasan over multiple charges, the military said Monday, June 26.
(Photo by PNP)
Brig. Gen. Eugenio Boquio, commander of Sulu-based 1101st Infantry Brigade, said they were verifying whether Mudjasan is still in Maimbung after the intense firefight that erupted when search and arrest warrants were served against him by joint units from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“Our target is fixed so we sealed off the area to avoid other sympathizers from entering,” Boquio said.
“Right now, our troops are still in the area. I’m not sure if [Mudjasan] is still there but we will know before this day ends,” he added.
Boquio said Mudjasan grazed his foot while escaping although the troops are on alert since he is being escorted by an unknown number of sympathizers and relatives from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
“On the night of the incident, there were around 50 [sympathizers] who entered the area. We are verifying if they are still there,” the military commander shared.
“We are observing the area if there will be movements, if they will be forces who will enter or leave,” he said.
Mudjasan escaped when joint units from the PNP and AFP served two search warrants for alleged violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act and RA 9516 for illegal possession of explosives; and three warrants of arrest for frustrated murder, double murder, and multiple murder against him in Brgy. Bualo Lipid, Maimbung, Sulu last Saturday, June 24.
A firefight ensued between the government troops and Mudjasan’s camp which lasted for 10 hours. A SAF trooper died while 13 cops, one soldier, and two civilians were wounded in the clash.
Three individuals on the side of Mudjasan were killed while two were hurt, including the former vice mayor.