ALLEGED BIAF MEMBERS CAUGHT SELLING HIGH-POWERED WEAPONS

An alleged member of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces Moro Islamic Liberation Front (BIAF-MILF) who was reportedly selling illegal firearms died in a shootout with the police in Maguindanao del Sur. 

According to Emil Sumangil’s “24 Oras” report Monday, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) conducted an entrapment operation against some individuals reportedly selling loose guns and live ammunition.

However, a shootout between the police and suspects ensued after the alleged sellers recognized the authorities. Three individuals, claiming to be BIAF-MILF members, were arrested in the operation while one was hurt. 

Another cohort — identified as Zaldy Usman — died. 

“‘Yung na neutralize rito ay si Zaldy Usman, isang battalion commander ng inner armed base command ng BIAF-MILF. During case build up, hindi alam ng CIDG that we are transacting with MILF members,” said CIDG RFU-BARMM Chief Police Colonel Ariel Huesca.

(We neutralized Zaldy Usman during the operation. He is an inner batallion commander in the armed base command of the BIAF-MILF. During the case buildup the CIDG wasn’t aware they were MILF members.)

“Doon na lang natin nalaman ng mga MILF sila immediately after ng arrest. Nagpakilala na sila na members from BIAF Armed Forces of MILF,” he said. 

(We’ve only known about it after their arrest.)

The group was known for its gun-running activity, Huesca added. 

“Itong tao na ito, nago-offer ng firearms and ammunition of different types and caliber. In-engage ng CIDG through a poseur buyer at si poseur buyer nag-order ng K3 Daewoo machine gun at dalawang M16 rifles. In exchange to that, si poseur buyer ay magbabayad ng P1.5 million,” he added. 

(They offer firearms and ammunition of different types and caliber. We engaged with them through a poseur buyer who ordered a K3 Daewoo machine gun and two M16 rifles. In exchange to that, the poseur buyer was asked to pay P1.5M.)

The PNP-CIDG recovered the firearms and the pieces of ammunition. 

“Pinadala na namin sa seized firearms sa forensic unit to restore the original serial numbers. From that there is a possibility na ma-trace natin ang origin of firearms,” Huesca said. 

(We sent the seized firearms to the forensic unit to restore the original serial numbers. From that there is a possibility we can trace its origins.)

Meanwhile, authorities said they sent a letter to the Government of the Philippines Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (GPH-CCH) informing about the incident. 

“Inaantay pa namin ang answer sa letter. It is a form of crime prevention as we all know and we cannot deny na mataas ang shooting incidents dito sa area,” Huesca added. 

GMA Integrated News reached out to the BIAF for comment. —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News

This article Alleged BIAF members caught selling high-powered weapons was originally published in GMA News Online.

2024-04-29T15:07:35Z dg43tfdfdgfd