In a significant law enforcement operation, Zamboanga Sibugay police forces successfully apprehended a suspect and recovered multiple high-powered firearms during a raid in Ipil municipality.
The operation, conducted by personnel from Ipil Municipal Police Station, targeted a residence in Barangay Poblacion where authorities discovered an arsenal of illegal weapons. The confiscated firearms included:
- One M16 Armalite rifle
- One M1 Garand rifle
- One M1 Carbine rifle
The suspect, identified as 42-year-old resident Edwin Fernandez, was taken into custody without incident during the Wednesday afternoon operation. Police authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges to be filed against the apprehended individual.
Police Lieutenant Colonel John Michael Raymond, Ipil police chief, emphasized that the operation was part of the Philippine National Police's intensified campaign against loose firearms and criminal elements in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
"This successful operation demonstrates our commitment to ensuring public safety and security in our communities," Raymond stated. "We will continue to pursue individuals who possess illegal firearms that threaten the peace and order in our province."
The recovered firearms have been properly documented and are now under police custody as evidence for the ongoing investigation. Authorities are also looking into possible connections between the confiscated weapons and previous criminal activities in the area.
This operation marks another achievement in the PNP's campaign to reduce the circulation of illegal firearms in Mindanao, particularly in areas where such weapons have been used in various criminal activities and local conflicts.
