MALABANG, Lanao del Sur — Authorities recovered a high-powered firearm during a hot pursuit operation on Wednesday evening, March 11, following a shooting incident earlier that day in Barangay Curahab, Malabang, that left a resident wounded.
Joint operatives from the Malabang Municipal Police Station (MPS), the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) of the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office (LDSPPO), and troops from Bravo Company of the 51st Infantry Battalion launched the operation in Barangay Tubok as part of efforts to track down the suspects behind the shooting of Safra Pangsayan Bantuas.
Police said the operation was initiated after investigators reviewed closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and gathered information identifying the alleged suspects as Alinor Malatus Bato and an accomplice known only by the alias “Itlog.” Authorities said the suspects had already fled the area before the joint police and military operatives arrived.
Despite the suspects’ escape, authorities discovered several pieces of evidence during the search of a residence believed to be linked to the suspects. Recovered from the location were one M16A1 Elisco rifle with a tampered serial number, one improvised 60-round magazine, and three live rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. The items were reportedly found in plain view inside the house.
The confiscated firearm and ammunition are now under the custody of the Malabang MPS. These will be turned over to the Provincial Forensic Unit (PFU) of Lanao del Sur for ballistic examination to determine whether the weapon was used in the shooting incident and in other possible crimes.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the condition of the victim, but police confirmed that the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Law enforcement agencies are also continuing follow-up operations to locate and arrest the identified suspects, who remain at large as of this writing.
Police officials urged anyone with information that could help in the investigation or in the arrest of the suspects to coordinate with the Malabang police station. Authorities also assured residents that intensified security operations are being carried out to maintain peace and order in the area.