An armed confrontation between two factions of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led to the death of one member and injury of four others.

According to initial reports, the group of Salik Kiko and Ben Tikaw traded bullets in Barangay Tukanalipao, Mamasapano, Maguindanao on Monday (October 12).

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) Commander Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said Salik Kiko is a delisted member of the 118th base command of the MILF while Ben Tikaw is a member of the 105th base command.

In an encounter that lasted for six hours, a member of Salik Kiko’s group identified as Alimudin, was killed while three others were wounded. One member from Tikaw’s group was also injured.

The AFP said they deployed personnel from the 33rd Infantry Battalion in coordination with the local officials and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to closely monitor the situation.

“We are still waiting for the results of the investigation as to why these two groups clashed,” Vinluan said. AAC (with reports from Dante Amento)

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) raided a computer shop in Caloocan City on Thursday (July 23) for allegedly selling fake COVID-19 test results.

A video footage showed a woman preparing fake certificates of Rapid Anti-body test results at a computer shop in Barangay 177, Caloocan City. The CIDG said these fake certificates are sold for P500.

After receiving reports, authorities immediately set up an entrapment operation.

“May isang operatiba namin na nagpanggap na kukuha at nangangailangan ng rapid anti-body test. Ayun nga, sa halagang P500 hinintay-hintay niya ang resulta (One of our operatives posed as a customer in need of rapid anti-body test. So after paying P500 he waited for the results),” according to CIDG Deputy Director for Administration PBGen. Rhoderick Armamento.

Armamento reiterated producing fake test results poses great danger especially with the rising COVID-19 cases. He also said that suspects, Angelica Arino Dellola and Jeshel Roldan Mohad will be facing charges for violating Article 171 in relation to Article 17 of The Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 11332. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed Special Action Force (SAF) troops to Sulu after a municipal police station was attacked by armed men on Saturday (June 13).

PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Bernard Banac said the PNP deployed SAF commandos and Regional Mobile Force Battalion troops to hunt down the suspects which are suspected to be Aby Sayyaf members.

“Hindi natin maiaalis ang posibilidad na may ilang maaaring kasabwat dito mula sa grupo ng Abu Sayyaf, ang mga lawless element sa lugar na iyan ay magkaka-kilala rin kaya isa iyan sa tinitingnang anggulo ng ating imbestigasyon, (We cannot remove the possibility that there are cohorts from the Abu Sayyaf group. The lawless elements in that area also have connections so that is one of the angles we are looking into in our investigation),” he said.

The PNP also condemned the said attack amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Two policemen died during the encounter at the Parang Municipal Police Station which lasted for 30 minutes. Two more policemen were injured.

“Iyong mga namatay nating kasama ay bibigyan ng financial assistance, benefits. Lahat ng kanilang mga benepisyo ay ibibigay para sa kanilang pamilya, (Financial assistance and benefit will be given to our fellow troops who died. All of the benefits will be given to their families), Banac assured.

Meanwhile, all police troops in the region are on high alert to prevent similar incidents. AAC (with reports from Lea Ylagan)