ZAMBOANGA CITY – Police and military authorities arrested three members of the notorious “Balimbingan Group” involved in kidnapping and illegal drug trade in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NavForWem) commander Commodore Toribio D. Adaci Jr. said Wednesday the three suspects — Usman Ismael Balimbingan, Toto Lawadin Balimbingan, and Mujahid Sensi Balimbingan — were apprehended in their hideout at Barangay Tigabon, Malangas, Zamboanga Sibugay Province, around 5 a.m. by virtue of a warrant of arrest.
Adaci said the group was involved in piracy, extortion, gunrunning, kidnapping, and illegal drug trade in the Zamboanga Peninsula.
A navy patrol craft, a Navy SEAL team from the Naval Special Operations Command and naval intelligence agents worked with their counterparts in police and other military units to make sure the success of the operation, NavForWem commander said.
The soldiers recovered during their suspects’ arrest one M16 rifle with a defaced serial number, four .45-caliber pistols, one KG9 sub-machine gun, and assorted magazines, ammunition and paraphernalia, Adaci said.
The three gang members and their high-powered firearms were brought to the Zamboanga Sibugay Provincial Police Office for documentation and appropriate disposition.
