Zamboanga city: Authorities have arrested a barangay official and seized firearms, ammunition, and more than PHP2.9 million worth of smuggled cigarettes in a predawn law enforcement operation Friday in this city. Arrested was 'Mahmud,' a councilor of Barangay Zone 4, this city, according to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Regional Field Unit-9 (CIDG-RFU-9).

According to Philippines News Agency, the suspect was arrested in a search warrant operation launched around 3 a.m. at his residence on Asuncion Ong Chua Drive, Barangay Putik, as issued by a local court for violation of Republic Act (RA) 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. The confiscated firearms included a 9mm pistol caliber carbine (PCC), a .45-caliber pistol, and various ammunition. Also seized were tactical vests, an M16 magazine assembly, firearm cases, and bags.

During the lawful search, the operating team also discovered 20 master cases of suspected smuggled cigarettes amounting to over PHP2.9 million. The CIDG said the cigarette shipment would be subjected to further verification, and appropriate charges may be filed against the suspect for violations of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, in addition to violations of RA 10591. Mahmud was informed of his constitutional rights and brought to the CIDG-Zamboanga City Field Unit Office for documentation and detention.

The search warrant operation is in line with Oplan Paglalansag Omega, a nationwide campaign by the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) focused on neutralizing private armed groups and confiscating unlicensed or loose firearms. The operation was launched with the support of different police units and the military's Task Force Zamboanga, aimed at further curbing loose firearms and smuggling in the city and the rest of the Zamboanga Peninsula Region.

For the past several months, joint navy-police sea patrols have also been strengthened across the region's maritime borders to stop smuggling operations, including those originating from the so-called 'southern backdoor' in Mindanao.