Provincial police told to go after armed men

The Cebu Provincial Police Office director Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria yesterday told reporters that he has directed all the police station chiefs in the province to apply the full force of the law after armed men were spotted off the shores of Madridejos town and the recent arrest of eight armed men last week.

Two weeks ago, fishermen who were caught illegally fishing threatened to fire at the local Bantay Dagat members who tried to arrest them in the seawaters of Tanguinge Islet in Madridejos town, last February 13.

According to reports, Daking Escala, the captain of F/B Saint Peter, the mother boat of F/B Stephanie, blocked the pursuing Bantay Dagat operatives.

With two of his armed crews as escorts, Escala reportedly told the approaching Bantay Dagat members that they would resist any arrest. Two Bantay Dagat members who already boarded the fishing boat jumped into the sea upon seeing Escala and his crew armed with three M16 rifles and two .45 cal. pistols. They also saw three M60 machine guns and 10 hand grenades inside the boat.

Last week, eight armed men were arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms, usurpation of authority and violation of Commission on Elections gun ban after they turned over to the Madridejos Police two commercial fishing vessels they claimed to have apprehended off Tanguinge Islet.

The armed men claimed to belong to the ASEAN Anti-Communist League in the Philippines-Malacañang Active Combat Forces and that their commander was a certain Oscar Torres, but when Valmoria checked he found out that the group does not exist.

Valmoria instructed his police chiefs to send men to escort Bantay Dagat operatives whenever they conduct sea patrol since they are not allowed to carry weapons.

Valmoria also urged the public to immediately report to the police if they see any suspicious persons. - Norvie S. Misa/BRP