Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 19) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be enforcing a gun ban in some parts of Mindanao following the ambush in Lanao del Sur that left Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr. injured and four of his aides killed.
PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. on Saturday said the permit to carry firearms will be suspended in Maguindano, Lanao del Sur, and in 63 barangays in North Cotabato included in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)
“Whatever is the motive of the crimes that are being perpetrated in that area, specifically doon sa 63 barangays doon sa Pikit, I think we need to impose a stricter gun ban sa area na ‘yan para ma-contain natin ‘yung pag-escalate ng krimen ng shooting incident doon sa area na ‘yun,” he added.
[Translation: Whatever is the motive of the crimes that are being perpetrated in that area, specifically in the 63 barangays in Pikit, I think we need to impose a stricter gun ban so we can contain the escalation of shootings in that area.]
Azurin did not say when the gun ban would take effect.
On Feb. 17, Adiong and his convoy were reportedly passing through Sitio Landslide and headed toward the municipality of Lao when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen.
The governor and a member of his staff were wounded and are now under treatment at a nearby hospital. Four of his police escorts, however, were killed in the ambush.
Azurin said the motive could be “rido” or clan feud.
“We already tried to contact sina (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) Chairman Murad (Ebhrahim) na makisali sila sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan doon because ito ay Muslim area at mga tao nila ito. It’s in the MILF territory, so sana sila ang mag-lead ng activities doon para nang sa ganun medyo ma-ease,” he added.
