Tacloban City—Joint operatives arrested four suspects on Wednesday and recovered 36 high-powered guns and ammunition purportedly for Mindanao-based terrorist groups, as they were passing through Port Balhuartico in Barangay Look, Allen, Northern Samar.
The Northern Samar Police Provincial Office, headed by Colonel Arnel Apud, identified the suspects as Daud Kumamang Ludungan, 43; Roger Daud Baguindali, 33; Wahid Esmael Yusop, 23; and Abdulgapor Buday Singh, 65. All are residents of Maguindanao.
The firearms and ammunition were concealed inside the tire compartments and side doors of two Toyota Vios cars, police said.
Based on its intelligence reports, the suspects allegedly traveled from Taguig City bound for Datu Piang, Maguindanao.
In a separate statement, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the suspected vehicle boarded a RoRo vessel and arrived at Allen Port around 9:40 a.m. Wednesday.
At around 10:15 a.m., the RoRo vessel carrying the suspected vehicle docked at Balhuartico Pier.
Upon arrival, the PCG and police team stopped the suspected vehicle, dispatched the PCG K9 dogs, and conducted proper inspection that led to the recovery of 36 units of M-16 rifle with undetermined number of magazines and three units of 45-caliber pistol, according to the Coast Guard.
The suspects will be facing charges for violation of Republic Act RA 10591 or illegal possession of firearms.