Barangay chair killed in buy-bust op; 6 suspects in military uniforms flee

A barangay chairperson was killed after a police buy-bust operation against alleged gun runners in Lanao del Sur turned into a gunbattle.

In an exclusive report by Emil Sumangil on Monday’s 24 Oras, an arresting team from the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) proceeded to Barangay Itil in the town of Balabagan to apprehend a group of gun runners last June 22.  

Police said one of the targets of the operation was a barangay chairman who was fatally shot in the firefight.

The CIDG has requested the fatality not to be identified.  

Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Huesca, Regional Chief of the CIDG Regional Field Unit BAR  said the operation resulted in the recovery of 3 M16 rifles, 1 M14 rifle, two .45 caliber handguns and marked money inside the suspects’ vehicle.

Also inside the vehicle were 24 spent cartridges. 

Huesca said after their poseur buyer handed over P500,000 in marked money during the transaction near a gasoline station, he made a pre-arranged signal. The suspects, however, sensed that they were dealing with police and began firing at the approaching CIDG operatives.

“As a last resort to repel the unlawful aggression, nagpaputok din ang CIDG, nagkaruon ng brief shootout,” Huesca said.

(The CIDG responded with gunfire and a brief shootout ensued.)

After several minutes, a PNP Scene of the Crime Office team arrived to conduct a forensic investigation of the area. But while they were gathering evidence, gunfire rang out.

Authorities said the shooting came from a nearby hill. 

“May mga reports kasi na  number one, gusto nilang sirain ang crime scene investigation, 2nd gusto nilang gumanti,” Huesca said.

(We received reports that No1., the suspects wanted to compromise the crime scene investigation and second, they wanted revenge.)

The CIDG said at least six suspects managed to escape. The team on the ground, some of whom were wearing body cameras, described the gun runners were wearing military uniforms.

“Habang papalapit ang tropa natin, it turned out na ang ka transact nila, wearing military uniforms, fully armed,” the CIDG official said.

“Maririnig niyo po sa body worn camera, nababanggit nila… may mga sundalo,” he added.

(While our men were approaching, it turned out the suspects were wearing military uniforms and fully armed. You can hear from the body worn camera, they said there were soldiers.)

The CIDG official said they are investigating the suspects’ identities and the possibility if they are members of the military.

“Chine-check natin kung sundalo, kasi isa sa mga firearm na nakuha natin ay may nakalagay na AFP property. We are waiting for the reply ng Philippine Army,” Huesca said.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the Armed Forces of the Philippines for comment.

The CIDG said they plan to use the footage from the body worn cameras as evidence in legal proceedings to back the legitimacy of the operation.

“Sunod sunod kasi ang operation ng CIDG dito ng mga baril, hindi lang small arms, puro light weapons… Hundreds of ammunition ang nakukuha,” said the CIDG official.

(The CIDG has had successive operations involving guns. From small arms to light weapons and we have also seized hundreds of ammunition.)

Police said that based on their previous transaction, it was relatively easy for buyers to connect with the illegal sellers of the firearms in the area.

“With that situation, it would lead to a fair conclusion na yung pagbebenta ng baril ay somehow… hindi nahihirapan (the selling of guns is somehow... easy.),” Huesca pointed out. —RF, GMA Integrated News