ITOGON, Benguet – Seven pocket miners were arrested and assorted illegal firearms, ammunitions and explosives were seized by combined police operatives and anti-narcotics agents during an operation at Liang, Poblacion here Friday night.
Senior Superintendent Florante Camyot, officer-in-charge of the Benguet Provincial Police Office, identified the arrested individuals as Bonifacio Odlos, 27; Anthony Paat, 32; Camilo Amuga, 23; Marlou Brando Castaritas, 23; Anthony Ampac, 19; Glenn Alyang, 24 and Baliwag Suyang, 33, all pocket miners and residents of Liang, Poblacion, Itogon, Benguet.
Seized from the encampment site of the arrested individuals were 1 improvised shotgun and magazine with 7 live ammunitions, 43 dynamite sticks, 18 pieces blasting caps, 4 small plastic bags containing ammonium nitrate, 29.95 meters time fuse and undetermined length of green cord.
The operating troops were supposed to serve the warrant of arrest issued against Mike Angcasao, who was said to be hiding in the place and working as a small-scale miner, but the subject was able to elude arrest leaving behind his companions.
Upon arrival in the place, the arresting team were able to see in plain view the illegal guns and explosives, thus, the suspects and the seized items were immediately brought to the Itogon Municipal Police Station for documentation prior to the filing of appropriate charges against them.
Angcasao is now the subject of a manhunt operation by the concerned police personnel assigned to effect his warrant.
By Dexter A. See
