Crime gang member nabbed in Sultan Kudarat

SULTAN KUDARAT, Philippines - Lawmen arrested in Isulan town Friday a henchman of a wanted bandit operating a large robbery and drug syndicate in the province.

Combined personnel of the Regional Police Office-12, the Sultan Kudarat provincial police, the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion and the 63rd Reconnaissance Company of the 6th Infantry Division cornered the suspect, Abdul Maguid Logioman, after a running gunfight in Sitio Mantisao in Barangay Bual, Isulan.

The soldiers and policemen who clashed with Logioman and his companions were to search for Commander Dimas in Sitio Mantisao to serve him two separate warrants for his arrest.

Dimas is leader of the heavily-armed gang where Logioman belong.

Witnesses said he managed to escape as the raiding team traded shots with his followers.

A soldier, Sgt. Daniel Desiderio, was wounded in the ensuing firefight.

Lt. Col. Harold Cabunoc, commanding officer of the 33rd IB, said they have been receiving persistent feedback from villagers purporting that the group of Dimas suffered fatalities.

Cabunoc said the hunt for Dimas and his men will continue.

Superintendent Romeo Galgo Jr., spokesman of PRO-12, said they are thankful to the Army units that provided manpower support to policemen who were to serve Dimas two warrants for his arrest on Friday.

Dimas and his men are engaged in large-scale distribution of shabu and clandestine propagation of Marijuana plants.

The gang led by Dimas was also implicated in more than 30 cattle theft incidents in recent months.