Raid on crime gang’s lair yields guns, ammunition

MANILA, Philippines - Agents of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), assisted by the police Special Action Force (SAF), seized a cache of weapons and ammunition from a hideout of the so-called Bantugon crime syndicate in Bauan, Batangas last Friday morning.

“This is part of our continuing operation to neutralize organized criminal syndicates and account for loose weapons across the country,” said CIDG chief Director Benjamin Magalong.

The CIDG, according to Magalong, served 11 search warrants against suspected members of the Bantugon gang, tagged in gun-for-hire, gunrunning and organized criminal activities in the Calabarzon region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon).

The raid on the Tolosa compound yielded a 30-caliber Garand rifle, a .22-caliber rifle, a 9-mm Beretta pistol, a .25-caliber pistol, assorted bullets, and fatigue uniforms.

In its Facebook page, the CIDG said three men – a certain Raniel Peje, Renante Peje, and Joseph Dizon – were arrested during the raid and will be charged with illegal possession of firearms.

In July 2006, CIDG and SAF operatives arrested at least 15 people in simultaneous raids on four safehouses of the Bantugon gang, then tagged as a faction of the more dreaded “Black Shark” gang.

During the 2006 raids, the law enforcers swooped down on four houses in Batangas City and Mabini and Bauan towns. Those arrested included two barangay officials.  – With Arnell Ozaeta