Police recover body of gunman, wanted ex-Sulu vice mayor escapes

A police photo shows commandos during the operations to capture ex-Maimbung vice mayor Pando Mudjsan. (Mindanao Examiner)

SULU – Security forces have recovered a cadaver of one of the gunmen of fugitive ex-vice mayor Pando Mudjasan of Maimbung town as soldiers and policemen continue hunting down the former politician who eluded arrest in the southern Philippine province of Sulu, national police chief Benjamin Acorda Jr said on Sunday evening.

Mudjasan is wanted for murder in Sulu, according to Acorda. “The government forces were not able to arrest Mudjasan because he was alerted due to the early start of the firefight,” he said.

Acorda also confirmed that the weekend fighting had killed a police commando – Pat. Regim Gacod, of the 7^th Special Action Battalion - and wounded 13 other policemen and an army soldier while trying to serve an arrest on Madjasan in the village of Bualo Lipid in Maimbung town.

He identified the wounded policemen as Cpt. Ergie Wanawan, Cpls. Nelvin Roble, Butz Lenard  Bakidan, Jayson Cabalquinto, Alnadzmi Sahirani, Jerwin Tongala, John Lord Paasa, Simon Ligmayo and Vileo Raven Jariolne; and SSgs Julakbar Jahani and Jadier Alfad; Pats. Jasper Massagan and Jason Dacio; and a soldier who is a member of the 41^st Infantry Battalion.

“A fierce firefight broke out between government forces and armed men at Bualo Lipid in Maimbung. The operation was carried out to serve a warrant of arrest for the crime of murder and implement a search warrant against Mudjasan and his associates. Mudjasan is reported to be employing armed civilians and keeping in his possession loose firearms and explosives,” he said, adding the fierce fighting lasted 10 hours – from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

“The government forces encountered an undetermined number of enemies, resulting in casualties on both sides. Fourteen wounded and one killed from the government forces. Some of the wounded personnel were brought to an undisclosed medical facility for immediate treatment,” Acorda said.

“I would like to express my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Pat Gacod, rest assured that the benefits due our fallen comrade will be given immediately to his family. I also extend my sympathies to those operating members who were injured in the recent firefight,” he added.

Acorda commended members of over a dozen police and military units involved in the operations and said the police remain steadfast in its commitment to protect and serve the Filipino people and will continue to enhance its operational capabilities to go after private armed groups.

“I commend the valor and dedication displayed by our law enforcement personnel who participated in the operations. Despite the inherent risks involved, they fearlessly carried out their duty to serve and protect our communities. Their commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace and order is truly admirable. The PNP will use all our assets and forces to hunt down those people who are involved and we will not stop until they are behind bars,” he said.

The fighting erupted after the group of Mudjasan sensed the arrival of security forces and attacked them with automatic weapons, sparking the daylong clashes that forced some 5,000 villagers to flee their homes. (Mindanao Examiner)