ARMED GROUP. Four members of a potential private armed group surrender and turned in high-powered firearms with ammunition to authorities in Barangay Bayabao, Butig town, Lanao del Sur province on Wednesday (March 15, 2023). They were allowed to go home but required to report weekly to the Butig police office for updates on their whereabouts and activities. (Photo courtesy of APC-WM)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Four members of a potential private armed group (PPAG) have surrendered and turned in high-powered firearms to authorities in Lanao del Sur province, a police official said Thursday.
Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of the Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, said the PPAG surrenderers belong to the Pansar Group who surrendered around 9:21 a.m. Wednesday in Barangay Bayabao, Butig town.
The surrenderers were identified as Salaoden and Maradi, both surnamed Pansar; Moctar Masorong; and Alinader Maricor.
They surrendered a .50-caliber Barrett sniper rifle, a 5.56-mm rifle, a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver and ammunition.
The group’s surrender was facilitated by the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office with the support of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-14 and the Butig police station.
Verceles said the surrenderers were released in good physical condition and required to report weekly to the Butig police station for continuous monitoring. (PNA)
