Dozens of high powered firearms and Private Armed Group (PAGs) surrendered to authority in BARMM

By: Mark Navales

Abo Group of Parang, Maguindanao (PAGs) headed by Ambie Anso Bansil aka Mama Abo (center / light blue shirt) handed over a homemade caliber 50 Barrett with scope and bipod to P/MGen Albert Ignatius D. Ferro, Director, CIDG (2nd from left) and other high powered firearms, explosives and ammunitions, witnessed along with Cotabato City Public Safety Office, headed by Gen. Rolen Balquin (Ret) (left) Deputy Director for Administration of PRO-BAR P/Col. Pablo Labra (3rd from right) CIDG-BAR Regional Chief P/Col. Tom Tuzon (2nd from right) and CIDG Region 9 Regional Chief P/LtCol. Cyrus Belarmino (right) and ten other Abo groups( in the background )on Thursday March 26, 2021 in a ceremony held at the Regional Field Unit BAR office at PC Hill, Cotabato City (By:Mark Navales)

Cotabato City -  Six members of the  former Mayor Ibrahim P. Ibay Private Armed Group (PAGs) headed by Abdul Moniem Ali aka Walad Ali (Leader) incumbent Barangay Chairman of Poblacion 2, Parang, Maguindanao and Ten of Abo Group Members headed by Ambie Anso Bansil aka Mama Abo (Leader) was surrender to the authority just earlier.

The said Private Armed Group (PAG), who are all included in the watch lists of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence was turned over las March 26, 2021 to the leadership of the PNP Criminal Investigation Group (CIDG) at the Regional Field Unit BAR office at PC Hill, Cotabato City to P/MGen Albert Ignatius D. Ferro, Director, CIDG, leads the officers and men of the PNP CIDG.

Along with them were the following assorted firearms, explosives and ammunitions which were surrendered to police authorities: One (1) unit homemade cal. 50 barrett with scope and bipod without serial number; One (1) unit homemade 7.62 MM barrett with one (1) magazine; One (1) unit homemade shotgun with SN: 061710 with one (1) magazine; One (1) unit shotgun 12 Gauge (Armscor) One (1) unit M130 Garand rifle without SN; One (1) unit KG9 with one (1) magazine bearing serial number 148687; One (1) homemade M79 Grenade Launcher; One (1) unit Cal. 357 revolver without serial number ; One (1) unit Cal .38 revolver without serial number; One (1) unit Cal .39 revolver with serial number 45089; Three (3) pieces rifle grenade; Two (2) pieces 40MM ammunitions; and Sixteen (16) pieces live ammunitions for 12 Gauge.

Police General Debold M Sinas, Chief PNP congratulates P/MGen Albert Ignatius D. Ferro, Director of CIDG and the personnel of Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Region 9 Regional Chief P/LtCol Cyrus Belarmino, CIDG-BAR Regional Chief P/Col. Tom Tuzon, Provincial officer CIDG-Maguindanao P/Maj. Esmael Madin, Chief Regional Field Unit 9 in collaboration with RFU BAR, RID PRO BAR, 1st ZSPMFC, ZDS, Parang Municipal Police Station, JTG KUTAWATO and Cotabato City Police Office for the surrendered of PAGs in Maguindanao.

“The surrendered firearms, explosives and ammunition were turned over to CIDG RFU9 while the surrendered  group were turned over to the Local Government Unit for assessment and availment of livelihood assistance”, PNP Chief Sinas said.

"This should encourage other PAGs members and LLEs to return into the fold of law and live peacefully in the community together with their respective families", PNP Chief Sinas added

The Ibay Private Armed Group (PAGs) headed by Abdul Moniem Ali aka Walad Ali (center left) incumbent Barangay Chairman of Poblacion 2, Parang, Maguindanao (center right)  with P/MGen Albert Ignatius D. Ferro, Director, CIDG (left) with CIDG-BAR Regional Chief P/Col. Tom Tuzon together  with the surrendered six Ibay group posed with “heart signed” a symbol of love not war! on Friday March 26, 2021 in a ceremony held at  CIDG Regional Field Unit BAR office at PC Hill, Cotabato City. (Photo by Mark Navales)

P/MGen Ferro o, CIDG also said that due to the massive campaign of the national government through BARMM officials to dismantle Private Armed Groups, immediately the group of former Mayor Ibay voluntary surrendered together with his followers and their firearms at PRO BAR .,

“This campaign of CIDG against Private Armed Groups which is also in relation the Flagship Project “Oplan Salikop” is being supported by the stakeholders especially the Provincial Government of Maguindanao under Governor Bai Mariam Sangki Mangudadatu”. Ferro added.

“We are hoping that in the coming days, other private armed groups will also voluntarily surrender and will lay down their firearms to avoid more conflict between them because we were implement the law against them.

In 2019 Election former Mayor Ibay finished his three terms and Walad Ali was the opponent of Cahar P Ibay (brother of former Ibrahim P Ibay) in the mayoralty. However, Walad Ali lost in the said election which prompted them to separate from the group of former Mayor Ibay. Until they decided to surrender after they were convinced of the government’s sincerity in offering livelihood assistance to surrendering PAG members aside from their apprehension of the aggressive campaign of PNP CIDG Program Thrust in implementing the PNP’s Oplan Paglalansag Omega and Oplan Salikop particularly targeting armed groups. (By:Mark Navales)