MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will impose a gun ban in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao and 63 barangays in North Cotabato following recent violent incidents, including Friday’s ambush that killed four security aides of Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr.
“We are suspending the permit to carry firearms outside of residence,” PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said yesterday.
He did not say when the gun ban would take effect.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the alumni homecoming at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City, Azurin said the move is seen to prevent violence in the areas.
Apart from the ambush, a 13-year-old boy was killed and two other students were wounded in a gun attack in Pikit, North Cotabato on Tuesday.
“I think we need to impose a stricter gun ban para ma-contain natin yung pag-escalate ng krimen,” he said.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of the ambush.
He said the police were also directed to coordinate with the military in hunting down the suspects.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) police activated a special investigation task group to look into the incident, Brig. Gen. John Guyguyon said.
Adiong and his aide Ali Tabao were wounded in the attack.
Killed were Patrolmen Juraiz Adiong, Aga Sumandar and Jalil Cosain and Adiong’s driver Hassanor Pundaodaya.
Adiong and his escorts were on their way to Wao town when they were waylaid.
Authorities are validating reports that either members of the Dawlah Islamiya or a drug ring were behind the ambush.
Guyguyon said they received reports that around 10 people perpetrated the attack.
‘Bring perpetrators to justice’
Vice President Sara Duterte condemned the ambush and demand that the perpetrators be immediately brought to justice.
“I commiserate with the bereaved families of the four security escorts of Gov. Adiong who died in the ambush,” she said.
Adiong is the vice president in the BARMM of the Lakas-CMD, of which Duterte is the chairperson.
Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hatanan raised concern over the spate of violence in the region.
“This attack was a brazen act of violence, perpetrated against no less than the highest executive of the province of Lanao del Sur and his companions,” Hataman said.
He called on law enforcement agencies to identify and arrest the perpetrators of violent incidents in BARMM, especially if the victims are children, local government officials and members of law enforcement agencies.
“The perpetrators must be brought to justice in these cases, lest we give them an impression that the law cannot punish them,” he said.
Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa also condemned the incident.
”Violence such as this does not achieve anything except to undermine our nation’s quest for sustainable peace and stability, especially in Mindanao,” she said. – John Unson, Roel Pareño, Janvic Mateo, Sheila Crisostomo, Romina Cabrera