GUINDULUNGAN, Maguindanao del Sur — A 39-year-old man was arrested after police and military personnel discovered a grenade, 120 rounds of live ammunition, rifle magazines, and suspected shabu during a checkpoint operation along the Koronadal-Cotabato Highway in Barangay Tambunan II, Guindulungan, on the morning of July 13.
The suspect was identified by authorities as Asraf E. Maulana, 39, a resident of Barangay Tambunan II.
According to the Guindulungan Municipal Police Station (MPS), the operation was conducted at around 10:30 a.m. by personnel led by PCPT. Aksad S. Lacson, Chief of Police of Guindulungan MPS, in coordination with the 11th Mechanized Company, 1st Mechanized Battalion, and the Provincial Mobile Force Company (PMFC) under the leadership of PLTCOL. Erwin G. Tabora, Force Commander.
Police said the suspect was riding a black CT Bajaj Kawasaki motorcycle when he approached the checkpoint. Alert operatives noticed several rifle magazines protruding from a small green bag carried by the suspect, prompting them to conduct a closer inspection.
During the search, authorities found four long rifle magazines loaded with a total of 120 live rounds of ammunition. The suspect reportedly failed to present any legal documents authorizing him to possess the ammunition, leading to his immediate arrest.
Further inspection also resulted in the seizure of one hand grenade, one sachet of suspected shabu weighing approximately 0.34 gram, a black pouch wallet, the green bag used to conceal the items, and the motorcycle he was driving.
The confiscated suspected illegal drugs will undergo laboratory examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have filed charges against Maulana for alleged violations of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, Republic Act No. 9516 or the law prohibiting the illegal possession of explosives, and Republic Act No. 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The suspect is currently under the custody of the Guindulungan Municipal Police Station while the appropriate criminal charges are being prepared for filing before the prosecutor’s office.
Police officials emphasized that the successful interception underscores the importance of sustained checkpoint operations in preventing the transport of illegal firearms, explosives, and dangerous drugs, particularly along major highways in Maguindanao del Sur. They also urged the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement authorities by reporting suspicious activities that could threaten public safety.