GOVERNMENT troops have arrested two people and recovered two handguns and a grenade in a security operation in the province of Lanao del Norte, military officials said Saturday, October 13.
The suspects, whose identities were not divulged, were arrested around 10 a.m. Friday in Barangay Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte by joint military and police forces.
Colonel Thomas Sedano, Jr., 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade commander, said the troops established a checkpoint following reports that there are people aboard a convoy of vehicles carrying firearms.
Thomas said the policemen of Balo-i also responded to the report and assisted the troops in the investigation of the suspicious vehicles and passengers.
The occupants of one of the five-vehicle convoy opened fire but missed prompting the soldiers to return fire. The vehicle sped off.
“Our soldiers were conducting security checks on reportedly suspicious vehicles when they were fired upon by the suspects,” Sedano said.
Captain Clint Antipala, Army’s 1st Infantry Division acting information officer, said that two arrested suspects were placed under investigation.
He said the troops recovered two caliber .45 pistols with three magazines loaded with ammunition and a hand grenade from the suspects.
Major General Roseller Murillo, Army’s 1st Infantry Division commander, has commended the concerned citizen for providing the timely information that led to the arrest of the suspects citing “peace and security is everybody’s responsibility.”
“I commended the bravery of the concerned citizen for the timely information that prevented any civilians or security forces casualty,” Murillo, added.
He also commended the troops for a job well-done that led to the arrest of the suspects.