Fugitive former Maimbung, Sulu vice mayor Pando Mudjasan is “fully armed and very dangerous,” the Philippine National Police said Monday, as the Police Regional Office in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) was placed on the highest security alert status as part of their pursuit of the leader and around 50 cohorts of the suspected private armed group.
Mudjasan and his men figured in a gunfight with government troops over the weekend which left five dead, including a policeman, as authorities continued to pursue him, the PNP said in a briefing yesterday at Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Meanwhile, the Sulu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said 1,174 families or 6,674 individuals in three barangays were evacuated due to the clashes.
PNP Public Information Office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said Mudjasan is reportedly employing armed civilians and keeping loose firearms and explosives in his possession.
The former vice mayor has standing warrants of arrest for double murder, multiple murder, two counts of frustrated murder, and violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regular Act.
The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao (APC-WM) said Mudjasan’s group is a potential private armed group that may be utilized in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30. With Vince Lopez
A GMA News TV report quoted Maranan as saying up to 6,000 evacuees in Sulu were advised not to return to their houses due to the possibility of more encounters.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Major Andrew Linao also told reporters some residents were scared of the encounter.
“We are advising them to be calm,” he said.
Brigadier General Eugenio Boquio, commander of the 1101st Infantry Brigade, said six Special Action Force members, four PNP personnel, one 41st Infantry Battalion member, two civilians, and two people from Mudjasan’s side were wounded.
Boquio told reporters that authorities are now pursuing around 50 armed men.
Police and military units encountered an undetermined number of armed men during the service of an arrest warrant for murder and the implementation of search warrants (SWs) against Mudjasan for violation of Republic Act 10591 (illegal possession of firearms) and RA 9516 (illegal possession of explosives) in Barangay Bualo Lipid, Maimbung, Sulu at around 7 a.m. on June 24.
“Accordingly, the subject of the SW, Pando Mudjasan, was in the area, which is fortified, which means the area where he is staying has layers of defense,” Maranan told reporters.
“While government troops led by the CIDG and supported by the SAF and the AFP were approaching Vice Mayor Mudjasan’s place, an encounter ensued, which eventually became intense as there was a heavy exchange of gunfire,” he added.
“According to the report of our RD and evacuated civilians, the encounter took place and we have not sent them back because the ones we are looking for might still be there and it is likely that there would be clashes again,” Maranan said.
The PDRRMO also said one member of the SAF was killed, while 14 troops were wounded in the clash. Some of the wounded personnel were brought to an undisclosed medical facility for immediate treatment.
Upon the instruction of PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., those wounded will be receiving the necessary medical attention, and their families will get all necessary assistance to aid in their fast recovery, Maranan said.
Additionally, one member of the 7th Special Action Battalion unit, identified as Pat. Regim Gacod was declared dead on arrival at Maimbung Hospital.
The government forces were unable to arrest Mudjasan because he was alerted by the early start of the firefight, Maranan said.
Recovered from the operation were one M14 rifle, four magazines, assorted ammunition, and personal items.
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has taken custody of the seized pieces of evidence for documentation and proper disposition.
The cadaver of a neutralized individual identified as Muhammad Ladja, who is allegedly from Mudjasan’s side, was claimed by immediate relatives.
“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Pat Gacod, rest assured that the benefits due to our fallen comrade will be given immediately to his family,” Acorda said in a separate statement.
“I also extend my sympathies to those operating members who were injured in the recent firefight.”
“I commend the valor and dedication displayed by our law enforcement personnel who participated in the operations. Despite the inherent risks involved, they fearlessly carried out their duty to serve and protect our communities.”
“Their commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace and order is truly admirable. The PNP will use all our assets and forces to hunt down those people who are involved and we will not stop until they are behind bars,” Acorda added.
He also stated that the PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and serve the Filipino people and will continue to enhance its operational capabilities to go after private armed groups. With Vince Lopez