69 Zamboanga del Sur detainees arrested as 'private armed group'

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Police in a village in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur arrested on Saturday 69 detainees and escapees and six jail personnel who were
allegedly being used as a private armed group.

Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, director of Police Regional Office 9, said police also recovered guns and ammunition during the simultaneous raids in Barangay Dao.

Beltran said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, 5th Special Action Battalion of the Special Action Force, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 9, Regional Intelligence Unit 9, Zamboanga Del Sur PPO, Police Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Regional Special Operation Group of Regional Intelligence Division 9 all participated in the operation.

The raids were conducted against detainees staying inside the governor's quarters in the provincial capitol. They were reportedly being utilized as a private armed group.

Zamboanga del Sur Gov. Antonio Cerilles vehemently denied the detainees were escapees or were a private army.

Cerilles, in a briefing with local media in Zamboanga del Sur, said the detainees were relocated to the provincial capitol complex because of lack of space in the provincial jail.

He said the temporary transfer of the detainees was supported by a resolution approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution Number 2016-1133, which established jail extension facility at the Provincial Government Complex in Barangay Dao. 
 
The CIDG charged those arrested for violation of Article 223 and 157 of the Revised Penal Code, for infidelity and evasion of service, and violation of Republic Act 10591 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code Law.

Of the detainees arrested, four face homicide case, 13 face rape cases, 12 are in jail on drug charges, one faces a case of attempted murder, 32 have murder cases, four face cases for frustrated murder, and three face cases for illegal possession of firearms.

Police seized four assault rifles, three .45 caliber pistols, a Tavor assault rifle. two 9mm pistols, a .357 revolver, two .38 revolvers, a carbine rifle and magazines and ammunition.

Those arrested were immediately brought to CIDG-Zamboanga Del Sur for documentation and proper disposition.