PNP: 10 search operations in Maguindanao yield 1,001 firearms

Authorities have conducted a total of 10 search operations in different locations in Maguindanao since martial law was imposed in the province where 57 people, including 30 journalists, were massacred allegedly by members of the powerful Ampatuan clan. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the operations yielded 1,001 different types of firearms and light weapons mostly from members of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) and the Civilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) and the residences of the suspected killers. “The declaration of martial law enabled security forces to act swiftly to confiscate these crew-served weapons and high-powered firearms incidental to the arrest of suspects charged with rebellion before these weapons could be hidden or relocated," said Verzosa in a statement issued to media on Friday. The PNP chief said that before the imposition of martial law, authorities were only able to conduct two search operations in the province. The fist one was at a vacant lot in Shariff Aguak town owned by a certain Tamano Mamalapat, which yielded a huge stockpile of assault rifles and crew-served weapons consisting of anti-tank recoilless rifles; mortar tubes; grenade launchers; and machine guns. The second was at the house of police inspector Saudi Mokamad that yielded an M16 assault rifle and ammunition. The arms and ammunition recovered from the two search operations were apart from the 22 high-powered rifles and the 698 other rifles surrendered by Cafgu and CVO members last November 26 and November 28 respectively, according to the PNP chief. Meanwhile, Verzosa said the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has so far identified 161 suspects in the massacre that was allegedly masterminded by Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, whose father, Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., brothers, and a cousin are among the 24 people slapped with rebellion charges by the Department of Justice. - GMANews.TV