18 armed men nabbed in Zambo Norte

Ten people believed to be members of a private army of a local politician were arrested in a joint military and police checkpoint while in possession of 10 high-powered firearms in La Libertad, Zamboanga del Norte.

Meanwhile, an eight-man security entourage of Rep. Ernie Clarete of Misamis Oriental were also arrested and their high-powered firearms seized by police and military elements in Rizal town also in Zamboanga del Norte before noon yesterday.

The arrest of the 10 suspected private armed group members came after elements of the Regional Mobile Group-9 (RMG-9) and the Philippine Army intercepted at a checkpoint a government-owned dump truck in Poblacion La Libertad at about 9:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Lhurimer Detran, RGM-9 director, said that upon inspection, authorities discovered that the vehicle was transporting 10 heavily armed men.

Detran identified the arrested suspects as Charley Amores, 26; Virgilio Utak, 32; Elmer Limosnero, 34; Vernie Kilat, 23; Reyrey Dalogdog, 21; Sony Boy Malaobang, 30; Ricky Bragat, 35; Ruel Bantillan, 24 and Edgar Tacano, 45, all of whom are residents of Poblacion La Libertad.

Recovered from their possession were M16 rifles, two .45 caliber pistols, three 357 revolvers, one .9mm caliber pistol, two .22 caliber revolvers and assorted ammunition.

Initial investigation showed that some of the suspects were under the employ of a local politician and the vehicle they were using belongs to the Provincial Engineering Office located at Poblacion La Libertad.

The arrested men and confiscated firearms were brought to the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office for investigation and filing of cases against the suspects.